Kerala boat tragedy: CM Pinarayi Vijayan orders judicial inquiry, announces Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who visited the victims of the Tanur boat tragedy on Monday, announced a judicial inquiry into the accident that claimed 22 lives.

The Chief Minister announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the relatives of each family. The CM said the cost of treatment of the injured would be borne by the state government. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the relatives of the deceased.

The CM said that a special investigation team will also be constituted to probe the incident.

On Sunday around 19:30 there was an accident with the private boat "Atlantic". According to preliminary reports, the ship was overcrowded and lacked safety equipment. The boat, which was built for fishing purposes, was converted into a tourist boat. The probe will be conducted into various aspects such as certificate of competency and license.

Nasar, the owner of the boat, went on the run after the incident. Various charges were brought against him, including culpable homicide.

At least 22 people, including women and children, have been killed after a houseboat capsized and sank in Kerala's Malappuram district.

The boat was carrying more than 30 passengers on board when the incident occurred near the popular tourist destination of Thoovaltheeram beach around 7 pm on Sunday evening.