Stranded Andhra fishermen rescued off Odisha coast, to return to Visakhapatnam

Andhra Pradesh Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu said fishermen stranded off Odisha’s Paradip coast were rescued safely and will return to Visakhapatnam. Meanwhile, one missing fisherman was rescued near Visakhapatnam, while search operations continue for six others after a boat capsized

Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu has said all the fishermen stranded off the Paradip coast in Odisha have safely reached Paradip Harbour and will arrive in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday.

The fishermen were rescued after their fishing boat developed engine trouble and drifted into deeper waters due to adverse weather conditions off the Odisha coast.

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“All the stranded fishermen are safe and have reached Paradip Harbour. They are scheduled to arrive in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday,” Atchannaidu said in a press release issued on Monday.

Medical examinations conducted at Paradip Harbour confirmed that all the fishermen are in good health, said the Minister. Personnel from the Ichchapuram Police have reached Paradip Harbour on behalf of the Andhra Pradesh government and are overseeing the necessary arrangements for the fishermen, he said.

“The safety of the fishermen is the government’s highest priority. We have been coordinating with the concerned officials at every stage and have taken all necessary measures for their well-being. It is a matter of great relief that all of them are safe,” the minister said.

He said the state government would extend all necessary assistance to the fishermen after they arrive in Visakhapatnam. Meanwhile, Fisherman Kari Chinna, one of the seven fishermen who went missing after venturing into the sea from the Visakhapatnam coast on July 1, was brought safely to INS Dega in Visakhapatnam on Monday by rescue personnel with the help of an Indian Navy helicopter.

The medical examinations conducted on him have shown him to be in good health. Search operations are continuing to trace the remaining six fishermen.

Further, Andhra Pradesh Police have registered an FIR in connection with the disappearance of the six fishermen after their fishing boat allegedly capsized in rough seas off the Visakhapatnam coast, based on a complaint lodged by Ragutu Lakshmi, whose husband is among the missing fishermen.

According to the FIR, the seven fishermen had ventured into the sea on July 1 and were returning after three days of fishing when their boat allegedly capsized at around 2.30 pm on July 4 due to rough sea conditions and high waves.

The complainant told police that the families came to know about the incident on July 5. One fisherman survived, while the remaining six are still missing despite ongoing search operations by the Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy.