Search Underway for Missing Fishermen in Andhra Pradesh

Missing Fishermen Incident

Amaravati, Aug 18: Eight fishermen from the B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district in Andhra Pradesh have been reported missing at sea, according to officials on Tuesday.

The group had embarked on a fishing expedition in the Bay of Bengal on August 3 and was expected to return by August 12.

Families of the fishermen are growing increasingly worried as they have not heard from them since their departure.

In response, Andhra Pradesh authorities have notified the Indian Coast Guard, initiating a search operation for the missing individuals.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu convened a meeting with officials to discuss the situation involving the boat that went missing, which had fishermen from the villages of Odalarevu, Dummalapeta, and Vasalatippa in Allavaram Mandal.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister sought updates on the search efforts aimed at locating the eight fishermen. He instructed officials to enhance the search operations until both the boat and its crew are found.

Officials reported that the fishermen's boat departed from the Odalarevu jetty at 10 a.m. on August 3. They maintained communication with their families until 11 a.m., but no further updates were received afterward.

It was noted that the fishermen had mobile phones and a VHF radio on board. They estimated that the boat likely reached its fishing destination around 6 p.m. that same day.

Despite being scheduled to return by August 12, the boat did not arrive, prompting the launch of a special search operation.

Authorities confirmed that the Coast Guard Commandant had been notified, and Coast Guard vessels are actively involved in the search.

Fishing boats from Kakinada, Bhairavapalem, Visakhapatnam, and Paradip have also been alerted, and efforts are being made to gather information about the missing vessel.

The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of keeping the families of the missing fishermen informed about the search progress and urged the use of all available resources to ensure their safe return. He called for coordinated efforts among the Coast Guard, Fisheries Department, and district administration to continue the search until the boat is located.

Chandrababu assured the families that the government is fully supportive of them during this difficult time.

In a related incident last month, six fishermen lost their lives when their boat capsized approximately 10 nautical miles off the Gangavaram coast in Visakhapatnam.

A mechanized fishing vessel carrying seven fishermen had set out on July 1 and capsized while returning on July 4. One fisherman was rescued by a merchant vessel and brought to shore on July 6.

After a four-day search and rescue operation by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, the remaining fishermen were not found, leading to the operation's conclusion on July 8.

The state government subsequently provided an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh to the families of the deceased fishermen.