Kerala boat tragedy 2023: Safety lapses flagged, reforms recommended by panel

Malappuram: The Justice V K Mohanan Commission of Inquiry, set up to investigate the 2023 Tanur boat accident in Malappuram district, has completed its proceedings and submitted its final report to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The report was handed over on April 30 at the Chief Minister’s office.

According to officials, the commission, along with technical experts S Suresh Kumar and K P Narayanan, submitted a 14-volume final report. The inquiry was conducted in two phases over an extended period based on its terms of reference.

Details of the 2023 boat accident

The accident took place on May 7, 2023, at the Poorappuzha estuary in Tanur, when a tourist boat carrying passengers capsized. The tragedy claimed 22 lives, including 15 children, five women and two men, making it one of the most serious boating disasters in the state.

The first phase report, submitted on December 4, 2025, examined the immediate circumstances of the accident and identified individuals and institutions responsible. The commission conducted sittings in Tirur over 18 months, examining 51 witnesses and reviewing 91 documents.

The final phase of the inquiry focused on broader systemic issues, including licensing procedures, enforcement mechanisms, and safety gaps in water transport. It also reviewed corrective actions taken after previous boat accidents in Kerala.

Extensive consultations and field visits conducted

As part of the second phase, the commission held 21 public consultation sessions across all 14 districts of Kerala. It recorded statements from 821 individuals, including officials and members of the public. The panel also visited boat jetties and previous accident sites and sought expert and departmental inputs under the Commissions of Inquiry Act.

The final report includes 141 recommendations aimed at strengthening water transport safety and licensing systems. These measures are intended to prevent recurrence of similar accidents and improve regulatory oversight.

Investigations into the incident had earlier found that the boat was operating at night in violation of safety norms. Structural deficiencies in the vessel were also identified as contributing factors in the capsizing.
(With PTI inputs)