MALAPPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced a judicial probe in the boat tragedy in Tanur. A financial aid of Rs 10 lakhs will be given to the families of the dead. The government will bear the medical expenses of those undergoing treatment in the hospital. The chief minister said that it is a great tragedy that cannot be described in words.

A review meeting convened decide to include technical experts in the judicial inquiry panel. Ministers of the district, fire rescue chief, police chief and people’s representatives attended the review meeting held. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had yesterday announced a financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the dead.

Meantime, reports said 23 people have lost their lives. Seven children were among the dead. Nine injured are undergoing treatment and four of them are in a critical condition. Five in the boat swam to safety. It is said that there were more than fifty people in the boat which has a capacity of 24. The post-mortem procedures have been completed.

A search is on to trace a missing child. NDRF, fire force and the navy are engaged in rescue operations. The coastguard’s help has been sought. There is no clarity on how many people were in the boat. 39 tickets excluding children were issued.