Indian tour boat owner arrested over deadly capsizing in Kerala

By Baird Maritime - May 11, 2023.

Indian Navy divers assist in search and recovery operations in the waters of Kerala's Malappuram district after an overloaded tour boat capsized in the area on May 7, 2023. The incident left at least 22 people dead. (Photo: Indian Navy)

Police officials in India’s Kerala state have arrested a local vessel owner in connection with a tour boat capsizing incident that killed 22 people earlier this week.

The owner, identified only by the name Nasar, was taken into custody in Kerala’s Malappuram district the day after the unnamed tour boat capsized just off Tanur municipality at around 19:00 local time on Sunday, May 7.

Officials said the tour boat was a converted fishing vessel and had approximately 40 people on board at the time of the incident.

The tragedy’s current death toll is 22, a figure that also includes 15 small children. Ten survivors suffered injuries from the capsizing and were later brought to hospital.

A number of passengers are still missing. Officials believe some of the missing victims are still trapped on board the partially submerged vessel.

An initial investigation revealed the boat was carrying passengers in excess of its authorised capacity and that it is not cleared to sail during nighttime.