Tamil Nadu: Elderly Couple From Sri Lanka Found In Unconscious State At Dhanushkodi

The Sri Lankans were later taken to Rameswaram Government Hospital for giving first aid and were later shifted to Ramanathapuram Government Hospital. 

Chennai: An elderly man and his wife from the economic crisis-hit Sri Lanka were found unconscious on the shores of Dhanushkodi in India on Monday. The two senior citizens who had reached Indian shores using an illegal ferry were found lying unconscious due to severe dehydration.

According to a report on Times of India, the local fishermen saw the two elderly people near Kothandaram temple and alerted Coastal Security Group (Marine) police in Rameswaram. The CSG then identified the 81-year-old man as Sivan from Mannar and the 71-year-old woman as Parameswari from Trincomalee. The CSG then provided water and other food to the heavily dehydrated couple.

Later, the CSG with the help of the Indian Coast Guard rescued the couple with a hovercraft after three hours since the nearest roadway was 5 km away from the place.

The Sri Lankans were later taken to Rameswaram Government Hospital for giving first aid and were later shifted to Ramanathapuram Government Hospital. 

Talking to Times Of India, Marine police inspector Kanagaraj said, the couple was dropped by a ferryman from Sri Lanka in chest-deep water during the night and the couple had to walk to the shore in the cold seawater. Later, the daytime temperature completely dehydrated them. 

After hours of treatment, the man gained consciousness but the woman is yet to regain consciousness, he said.