Malappuram : Chief Minister announced judicial probe into the boat accident in Malappuram’s Tanur that left 22, including children, dead from drowning and others injured. CM was speaking with reporters post the All-Party meeting convened in Tanur.
The Tanur tragedy is shocking to Kerala. 22 lost their lives, 10 were injured and 5 swam to safety, said CM to reporters. It has been decided to conduct judicial probe into the accident. Since there are technical aspects to the boat condition, a Commission shall be formed that also has technical experts. The police will run its own investigations in the incident for which, a Special Investigation Team shall be formed, said CM.
Ten lakh rupees shall be paid in solatium to families of the dead. The govt will bear all medical costs of those hospitalised. These families have suffered inconsolable loss. The govt shares in the grief of bereaved families, said CM.
The accident
Private cruise boat named “Atlantic” capsized 700 meters from shore in the estuary close to Thooal Theeram at Ottumpuram late Sunday evening around 7:30 pm. 22 including 12 children were drowned to death. 11 passengers were rescued, of whom , 8 are undergoing treatment at MIMS hospital in Kottakkal. A 7-year-old is hospitalised at Kozhikode Medical College. Of the survivors, seven children at MIMS are in critical condition.
It has been determined there were 37 on board at the time of accident. Families from varied parts of Kerala were up cruising on weekend holiday. The vessel is owned by Tanur native Nassar.
According to witness account, the boat sloped to a side and tossed over completely. Another cruise boat that came close behind saw the accident happen. They alerted authorities and started to search for passengers who became submerged under the vessel.
