The bodies of Liju Lawrence and V Vishnu, the Navy personnel from Kerala who lost their lives in the Mumbai submarine mishap, were brought here on Saturday morning.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy received the bodies brought on a special Air India flight at the Air Force Airport here.
The Navy gave a guard of honour at a sombre function attended by Liju’s brother Biju and Vishnu’s father Viswambharan.
Health Minister V S Sivakumar, District Collector K N Satheesh, top Navy officers and various people’s representatives were present.
Liju Lawrence hailed from Vazhichal in Vellarada and Vishnu from Harippad in Alappuzha.
Thousands on Saturday paid their respects to them.
The vehicle carrying the body of Liju was accompanied by scores of people wearing black badges and riding on vehicles, including motorbikes.
People from various walks of life paid tributes to the sailor whose body was kept for the public to pay homage in Vavode High School. Liju was an alumnus of the school.
The last rites were performed at the Little Flower Church, Vazhichal. Bishop Vincent Samuel led the prayers.
Health Minister V S Sivakumar, A T George MLA, District Panchayat president Ansajitha Russell and CPM leader Anavoor Nagappan attended.
The body of Vishnu, 23, Koyithirayil House, Pallipadu, was brought home from Thiruvananthapuram international airport around 11.30 am.
The body was first placed at Vazhuthanam UP School for two hours for the public to pay their last respects. Hundreds of friends and local people thronged his house to pay him homage.
The body was brought home by the Navy personnel, led by Chief Lieutenant Colonel P K Mukesh Kumar.
The cremation was held on the premises of his house at 2.30 pm. Navy men gave guard of honour on the occasion. About 18 Navy personnel, including Vishnu, were killed in the submarine explosion. His body was identified through DNA test.
MoS for Civil Aviation K C Venugopal and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob paid the last respects.