The search and rescue operations to find the three missing persons of a boat, with 8 people on board and that capsized at Paradip Port in Odisha's Jagatsinghpur on Tuesday, is underway, news agency ANI reported. Speaking with reporters, Jagatsinghpur SP Rahul PR stated: "Eight people were there on the boat, we have traced five of them. Three are still missing. Search operations are underway."
When eight fisherman were returning from the deep sea, the tragedy occurred near Nehru Bungalow. According to a police official, five of them were retrieved, while three others went missing, news agency PTI reported.
The Coast Guard is spearheading the rescue effort, with support from the Fire and Emergency Services, according to Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrata Sahu. Fisheries Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain stated that his office is keeping an eye on the issue.
According to Jagatsinghpur Superintendent of Police (SP) Rahul PR, eight fishermen were returning to shore after two days of fishing when their trawler crashed after striking a sand bar, Hindustan Times reported. “After the trawler capsized, a rescue operation was launched by the Coast Guard, Marine Police, Paradip Port Authority, and CISF. Due to the timely intervention of CISF and the Port, five fishermen could be rescued,” the SP was quoted by HT in its report.
A helicopter from the Indian Coast Guard was called in.
Three fisherman were reported missing, and maritime police investigators were attempting to determine if they were able to swim to safety.
Purendra Biswal, the boat owner, stated that the fishermen had constantly requested that the authorities do dredging at the sea's mouth, but this was not done, resulting in the catastrophe.
(With Inputs From Agencies)