A fisherman tragically drowned when a boat carrying four fishers capsized off the Revu Polavaram coast in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalli district. Three fishermen managed to reach the coast safely, while the accident occurred as the boat overturned, causing the fishermen to fall into the rough sea.
The deceased fisherman was identified as Chodipalli Simhadri from the Revu Polavaram fishing village. Meanwhile, a search operation continued for the second day for six fishermen off the Visakhapatnam coast. The Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Police are actively involved in the search for the missing fishermen after their boat was suspected to have capsized in rough seas.
Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu has instructed officials to intensify search operations and ensure the safe return of the missing fishermen. The joint search operation by the Navy and Coast Guard, utilizing a special vessel, rescue boat, and helicopter, has been ongoing for the second day based on information provided by one of the rescued fishermen, Kari Chinna.
Search operations resumed early on Monday, with authorities emphasizing the critical nature of the first 72 hours in such operations. Families of the missing fishermen expressed anxiety and frustration, staging a protest and pleading for information in front of the Mechanised Boat Operators’ Association office. Inspector General of Police, Gopinath Jatti, oversaw the search and rescue efforts, visiting the Indian Coast Guard’s regional operations center.
A group of seven fishermen from Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts had set out for fishing from the Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour on July 1. Due to rough sea conditions caused by a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal, their families raised concerns after being unable to contact them. The fishermen had assured their families of returning by July 4 afternoon, but as they did not return and their phones were switched off, the Coast Guard and Marine Police were alerted.
