Seven missing Andhra fishermen traced safe in West Bengal

Seven fishermen from Andhra Pradesh’s Konaseema district who went missing after venturing into the sea on August 3 have been traced safe in West Bengal. Their boat was located near Shankarpur Fishing Harbour, and the State government is arranging their return

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu on Wednesday said seven fishermen who went missing after venturing into the sea off Konaseema district were traced safe in West Bengal.

The seven fishermen, from Odalarevu, Dummalapeta and Vasalathippa villages in Allavaram mandal, set out from the Odalarevu Fish Landing Centre around 10 am on August 3 for fishing.

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They remained in phone contact with their families until around 11 am that day, after which communication was lost. The boat was expected to return by August 12 but did not arrive, prompting authorities to launch search operations.

“The seven fishermen who went missing after venturing into the sea from Odalarevu in Konaseema district have been confirmed safe in West Bengal, bringing great relief to their families,” the Agriculture and Fisheries minister said in a press release.

The boat was located near Shankarpur Fishing Harbour, and all seven fishermen on board were found safe, he said.

Atchannaidu said the fishermen were in good health and had been allowed to speak to their families.

The state government was making arrangements to bring them back home at the earliest, he said.

Atchannaidu said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had earlier directed officials to monitor the situation, coordinate with the Central government and remain in regular contact with Navy and Coast Guard officials regarding the fishermen’s safety.

He said extensive search operations were carried out by sea and air, with authorities examining the boat’s possible route and the area where it could have been located.

Every possibility, including a technical problem with the boat, was examined in coordination with Navy and Coast Guard officials, he said.

The direction and speed of the wind, sea currents and the possibility of the boat drifting were also analysed. Based on the assessment that the boat could have moved towards the West Bengal coast, Coast Guard units in the area and local fishermen were alerted, the minister said.

Atchannaidu said he spoke to the boat owner’s brother, Bhavani Prasad, and confirmed that all seven fishermen were safe in West Bengal.

Fisheries Department officials were taking steps to bring them safely back home, he said.

Atchannaidu said the state and Central governments, Navy, Coast Guard, Fisheries Department and district administration coordinated the search operation.

He said the government had used all available resources to trace the fishermen. “We are very happy to receive the good news that all seven fishermen are safe,” the minister said.

He said the state government gave the highest priority to the safety and welfare of fishermen.

“The government will always stand by the fishermen and their families and take all necessary steps to resolve their problems,” Atchannaidu said.