Two Fishermen Go Missing Near Tiruchendur, Rescue Operation Underway

The district Collector Senthil Raj said that they have made efforts to rescue the missing fishermen despite the tough weather conditions. 

The fishermen in a fishing boat (file photo)

Chennai: Two fishermen of Amali Nagar near Tiruchendur went missing after the fiberglass country boat in which they were fishing capsized mid-sea on Monday night. The boat with four members capsized due to the rough weather. Of the four members, two of the fishers safely reached the shore but the remaining two fishermen went missing. 

According to a report in The Hindu, every day the residents of Amali Nagar would venture into the sea at midnight and reach the shore in the evening. On Monday too, fishermen ventured into the sea. Four fishermen identified as Aswin, Prasanth, Paulraj and Nithyanantham went together in the same boat but their boat suddenly got in a gale and capsized about 22 nautical miles off the shore. 

Nithyanantham and Paulraj were rescued by fishermen in other boats. However, Aswin and Prasanth went missing. 

The fishermen then sent six mechanised boats to look out for the fishers. Based on the information, the district Collector K Senthil Raj informed Indian Coast Guard to look out for the fishermen. The ICG has pressed ships Aviraj and Aadhaesh and an aircraft and helicopter from INS Parundu in Ramanathapuram district for the search.

Senthil Raj said that they have made efforts to rescue the missing fishermen despite the tough weather conditions. 

Meanwhile, TN Opposition leader Edappadi Palaniswami accused TN government of failing to alert the fishermen in advance and expressed his concern over the missing fishermen.