Tanur boat tragedy judicial commission to hold public hearings in Malappuram this month

The judicial commission appointed to probe the 2023 Tanur boat tragedy will hold public hearings later this month to gather evidence and suggestions from the public. According to an official release from the Malappuram District Information Office, the Justice V K Mohanan Commission will conduct hearings on October 22 at the Wagon Tragedy Hall in Tirur and on October 23 at the Community Hall in Areekode. The first sitting of the commission was held at the PWD Rest House at Tirur on March 27, 2024.

The sessions aim to collect information and public input on the causes of the accident and to recommend measures to prevent similar disasters in the future. Boat owners, fishermen, journalists, and members of the public have been invited to present their views and suggestions directly before the commission.

On May 7, 2023, a tourist boat named Atlantic capsized near Thooval Theeram beach in Tanur, killing 22 people. The tragedy was one of the worst boat accidents in Kerala in recent years and sparked widespread outrage over lapses in safety regulations and enforcement.

The Kerala government subsequently appointed retired High Court judge Justice V K Mohanan to lead a judicial probe into the incident. The other members of the commission are Suresh Kumar, who retired as chief engineer from Kerala Waterways and Infrastructure Ltd (KWIL), and Prof K P Narayanan, who retired from the Ship Technology Department of Cochin (CUSAT). The commission was tasked with identifying the reasons behind the mishap, evaluating the role of various authorities, and proposing reforms to strengthen water transport safety standards in the state.