Five fishermen from Tamil Nadu found dead near Andhra Pradesh coast
The bodies of five fishermen were recovered after their boat capsized near Adani Krishnapatnam Port during Cyclone Murasu.
The bodies of five fishermen from Tamil Nadu were recovered near the Kothapatnam coast and Nizampatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, according to The Hindu. Three bodies washed ashore at Kothapatnam, while the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) found two more in the sea at Nizampatnam Port.
The fishermen were part of a group of nine on a boat that capsized near Adani Krishnapatnam Port. The vessel reportedly drifted and capsized due to a storm and intense winds after departing Nizampatnam on November 3 to meet two other boats at Ramayapatnam.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced a solatium of ₹7 lakh each for the families of the deceased fishermen. He directed that ₹2 lakh be disbursed immediately and ordered that the bodies be transported to Tamil Nadu at the government's expense.
Tamil Nadu Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson, accompanied by family members, visited the RIMS Hospital mortuary in Ongole. Family members identified four of the bodies, and officials stated the bodies would be moved to Tamil Nadu following a police investigation and post-mortem.
Prakasam District Collector P. Raja Babu said the identification process would continue once officials and family members from Tamil Nadu arrive. Efforts are being made to bring the capsized boat to the shore in consultation with Tamil Nadu officials.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing for five more fishermen. The ICG is using a Dornier aircraft in coordination with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Chennai, to locate the missing individuals.