Tanur boat tragedy
Date7 May 2023 (2023-05-07)
Time7:00 PM[1] (IST, UTC+05:30)
LocationTanur, Malappuram, Kerala, India
Typeboat capsizing
Causecapsizing of Atlantic
Participants37
Deaths22
Non-fatal injuries10

The Tanur boat accident occurred on 7 May 2023 evening, when the recreational boat Atlantic capsized in Tanur Beach in Tanur, Malappuram, Kerala, India.[2][3] The incident, on a boat carrying 37 people, caused 22 deaths and 10 injuries, including 11 children.[4][5][6][7]

Background

Boat mishaps are a common occurrence in India due to vessels frequently being overcrowded, inadequately maintained, and lacking safety equipment.[8][9] This incident is the fourth deadliest maritime accident in Kerala since India's independence.[10]

Incident

Thooval Theeram is located on the Parappanangadi-Tanur municipal boundary, on the banks of the Poorapuzha river's estuary, which joins the Arabian Sea at Ottumpuram. The boat was on a leisure trip when it was involved in an accident during its final journey of the day. As per the reports, it was getting dark by the time of the capsizing. The accident occurred between local time 6:30 - 7:00 pm on 7 May 2023. It is alleged that the boat owner converted a fishing boat for tourist services. Later officials confirmed that the boat was operated without a fitness certificate.[11] According to reports, the boat was overcrowded, and no life jackets were issued to passengers while in service. Twenty two people including a family of twelve members on a vacation died in the incident.[12]

When the service of the boat Atlanta started, the fishermen warned not to use it for tourism after finding that it's bottom is round. The bottom of the boat should be flat for tourism use. It was a two-story boat and was initially a fishing boat, which was converted for the purpose of tourist services by the owner. When more people boarded, it tilted to one side which caused the accident.[13]

Rescue and relief

Before the arrival of the Kerala Fire and Rescue Services, locals initiated rescue operations, but the crowd in the area hampered the work. Firefighting units from Kozhikode and Malappuram, as well as disaster management personnel, were quickly dispatched to the location. They made efforts to hoist the boat and bring it to shore. Indian Navy's Chetak helicopter was called in to assist in the search and rescue operation. Underwater cameras were used to track down missing people.[14]

The Central government declared that the families of the deceased will receive a financial assistance of ₹2 lakh (US$2,500) each. The Kerala government declared that they would give a financial assistance of ₹10 lakh (US$13,000) to the families affected.[15]

Investigation

A case was registered against the boat's owner Nasar for culpable homicide.[15] Nasar was arrested on 8 May from Kozhikode. It was reported that he had gone into hiding after the incident.[16]

Reactions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Pinarai Vijayan said they were deeply saddened by the tragic accident. The Kerala government declared 8 May 2023 as the day of official mourning and all government programmes were postponed as a mark of respect to the victims.[15] Kerala’s opposition leader VD Satheesan, while speaking to media, said, "Nobody even knows if the boat had a licence or not."[17]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "22 dead as recreational boat sinks in Thooval Theeram in Tanur; rescue ops underway". English.Mathrubhumi. 7 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  2. ↑ "22 dead as tourist boat overturns at Tanur; at least 7 children among deceased". Onmanorama. 7 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  3. ↑ "LIVE - Major Boat Tragedy in Kerala: At Least 11 People Dead as Recreational Boat With 37 Passengers Capsizes in Malappuram". TimesNow. 7 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  4. ↑ Tom, Disney (8 May 2023). "18 dead as houseboat capsizes in Kerala's Malappuram". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  5. ↑ "താനൂര്‍ ബോട്ട് അപകടം; മരണം പതിനാറായി; മരിച്ചവരില്‍ 5 കുട്ടികളും". www.manoramanews.com. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  6. ↑ Mrinmay Dey, Jose Devasia (7 May 2023). "Boat overturns in India's Kerala state, at least 21 die". Reuters. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  7. ↑ Suri, Manveena (8 May 2023). "22 killed after boat ferrying tourists capsizes in India's Kerala state". CNN. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  8. ↑ "Major boat tragedies that rocked Kerala". Onmanorama. 7 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  9. ↑ Mateen, Zoya (8 May 2023). "India Kerala: At least 22 dead as boat capsizes". BBC News. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  10. ↑ "കൊച്ചി നടുങ്ങി; ഇത് അഞ്ചാമത്തെ ജലദുരന്തം | Kerala | Deshabhimani | Thursday Aug 27, 2015". www.deshabhimani.com. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  11. ↑ "Thooval Theeram boat accident: Time and location make rescue operation difficult". English.Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  12. ↑ "Malappuram boat tragedy: Search ops underway, police book boat owner". www.onmanorama.com. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  13. ↑ "ബോട്ട് ഉടമ നാസർ ഒളിവിൽ; സഹോദരനും അയൽവാസിയും കൊച്ചിയിൽ കസ്റ്റഡിയിൽ". www.manoramaonline.com. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  14. ↑ Bureau, The Hindu (7 May 2023). "22 drown, many missing in boat tragedy in Kerala". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  15. 1 2 3 "President, PM express condolences; CM to visit Tanur; one-day official mourning on Monday". English.Mathrubhumi. 8 May 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  16. ↑ "Tanur tragedy: boat owner arrested from Kozhikode". The Hindu. 8 May 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  17. ↑ "Kerala boat accident: What may have led to the mishap that killed 22". Hindustan Times. 8 May 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.

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