Kerala government orders judicial probe into Malappuram boat tragedy
1 min read . Updated: 09 May 2023, 07:19 AM IST
PremiumKerala CM said that the state government will cover the expenses of the patients receiving treatment and a ₹10 lakh compensation will be given to the families of individuals who lost their lives in the boat accident.
The Kerala government has ordered a judicial probe into the Malappuram boat tragedy that claimed the lives of 22 people including children and women. CM Pinarayi Vijayan announced the state government's decision after an all-party meeting into the incident. CM Vijayan also said that the state government will cover the expenses of the patients receiving treatment and a ₹10 lakh compensation will be given to the families of individuals who lost their lives in the boat accident.
The CM said, “The all-party meeting has decided on a judicial inquiry in this matter. The probe will cover technical issues related to the boat's safety, among other matters. A judicial commission comprising technical experts will be formed. A special investigation team of the Kerala police will also probe the matter."
The Kerala Chief Minister also announced that the state government will look if the safety protocols for tourist boats were followed in the Malappuram boat tragedy.
Kerala Police on Monday also apprehended the owner of the boat that capsized leading to the death of 22 people. The owner had been absconding and was finally nabbed by the police in Kozhikode on Monday.
As per reports, the fishing boat did not have a license to offer boating services and the vessel was packed beyond its capacity of 20 people. The boat also lacked basic security equipment like life jackets.
"It was a tragedy which was invited. It could have been avoided if the boat was not overcrowded or if it had not been operated beyond the permissible time. When the boat reached a bend in the river, it overturned as it was already tilting to one side," News agency PTI quoted a local bystander as saying
Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan on Monday informed about the details of the passengers involved in the boat tragedy, he said, "The deaths of 22 people have been confirmed. We have identified that there were 37 people on the vessel. Five of them swam to safety yesterday. It was a private boat, and there is no official count of passengers,"
Rajan also confirmed that seven teams were involved in the rescue operation for the Tanur boat tragedy. These teams include the NDRF, Indian Coast Guard, fire services, the Navy and local people
(With inputs from agencies)