Daijiworld Media Network - Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam, Jul 6: A fisherman lost his life after a fishing boat carrying four crew members capsized in rough waters off the Revu Polavaram coast in Andhra Pradesh's Anakapalli district on Monday, while an extensive search operation entered its second day for six other fishermen missing off the Visakhapatnam coast.
Police said three fishermen managed to swim safely to the shore after the boat overturned in turbulent sea conditions. The body of the deceased, identified as Chodipalli Simhadri from Revu Polavaram fishing village, was later washed ashore.
In a separate incident, rescue agencies continued an intensive search for six fishermen who have been missing since their fishing boat is suspected to have capsized in rough seas off the Visakhapatnam coastline.
The joint rescue effort, involving the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and Marine Police, resumed early Monday morning with the deployment of a specialised vessel, rescue boats and a helicopter. Officials said the operation is being carried out based on inputs provided by Kari Chinna, the lone fisherman rescued by a cargo ship after the incident.
Authorities said Chinna is currently in the safe custody of the Indian Coast Guard. While he managed to survive by boarding the passing vessel, there has been no trace so far of the remaining six fishermen.
An official involved in the operation said search efforts recommenced at 6 a.m., adding that the first 72 hours after such incidents are considered critical for rescue operations. Officials remain hopeful of locating the missing fishermen alive.
Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu reviewed the situation on Monday and instructed officials to intensify the search mission. He directed all concerned agencies to make every possible effort to ensure the safe rescue of the missing fishermen.
Meanwhile, distressed family members gathered outside the office of the Mechanised Boat Operators' Association, demanding updates on the rescue operation. Relatives, including parents, spouses and children of the missing fishermen, alleged that they were not receiving adequate information from the authorities and appealed for immediate action.
Inspector General of Police Gopinath Jatti personally monitored the ongoing rescue efforts and visited the Regional Operations Centre of the Indian Coast Guard to review the operation.
The missing fishermen were part of a seven-member crew from Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram districts that had set out from the Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour on July 1.
According to officials, family members had contacted the fishermen after rough weather developed over the Bay of Bengal due to a low-pressure system. The fishermen had informed their families that they planned to return by the afternoon of July 4. However, after they failed to reach the shore and their mobile phones became unreachable, their families alerted the Coast Guard and Marine Police, triggering the ongoing search operation.