Daijiworld News Network - Udupi (MB)
Udupi, May 30 (Tuesday, 6-00 am): While many fishing boats from around Malpe were reporting missing since early Monday morning, the body of one of the missing persons was found washed ashore at Kodi-Kanyana near here around 4 pm. Six persons are feared dead in the mishaps.
The body has been identified to be of Timmappa Nagappa Gopa (34) of Hebbale in Bhatkal, Uttar Kannada. Besides, wreckage of the boat Vinagheshwar Prasad, belonging to Hariappa Kotian of Malpe.
The whereabouts of Shivananda and Narayana Marakala, who were with Timmappa Gopa in the boat are not yet known.
Besides the wreckage, the catch of fish has also been washed ashore. Around six in the evening, wreckage of boat Hitalakshmi was also found on the shore at Kota-Padukere.
The exact number of missing boats is still not known.
Officials and elected representatives have immediately taken steps for relief operations.
On alerting the defence forces, Coast Guard ship Annie Besant has arrived in Malpe and is assisting in the search and relief operations. ICGS Kasturba was also expected to join later during the day.
Boats return
Out of the approximate 350 boats reported to be missing, 200 have returned to the shore safely. While reports came in on Monday night, another 100 were closer home. Fifty were struggling to reach the shore. Six boats are said to be missing, according to last official reports. Crew from four boats have been rescued.
A mishap of this kind is said to be first in the vicinity of Malpe.
Missing:
Shivananda Narayana Mogera
Shankar Nagappa Naika
Chandra Bhatkal (all of Bhatkal)
Jagannath Kunder
Anand (both of Baikady-Brahmavar)
Injured and admitted to hospital
Ramesh
Devendra
Prashant (of Bhatkal)
Damaged boats
Hitalakshmi
Dhanalakshmi
Blue Bird
Menaka (all have sunk)
Srinidhi
Vinaghesha Prasad of Malpe
Jala Vikrant of Gangolli (have been washed ashore)
Dayalakshmi
Anupama (wreckage floating in sea)
Six crew of Anupama have been rescued. The deep-sea fishing boat Srinidhi, belonging to Kishore D Suvarna, was caught in the rainstorm near the Malpe estuary and was totally devastated. Water started flowing into the boat around 10-30 on Sunday night and it soon capsized. The catch in the boat got thrown overboard. Six crew swam ashore to safety and are receiving treatment for minor injuries in the district government hospital at Ajjarkad. The damage to the boat is estimated at Rs 15 lac.
Its engine and wreckage were later found on the shore at Gujjarbettu.