A desperate search operation is underway off the coast of Visakhapatnam after six fishermen went missing in the Bay of Bengal. The fishermen, who are from Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district and Bheemunipatnam (Bheemili) in Visakhapatnam district, were on a fishing boat that reportedly developed a mechanical fault. The Andhra Pradesh government has sought the assistance of the Indian Coast Guard in the search operation. Seven fishermen had sailed out of the Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour on July 1 and were scheduled to return by July 4. According to East Coast Mechanised Fishing Boat Owners Association president V Janakiram, officials from the Fisheries Department, Marine Police, port authorities, and the boat owners’ association contacted the crew on July 3 and warned them about rough sea conditions due to a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, asking them to return immediately.
The fishermen informed them that the boat had developed a mechanical problem and was moving very slowly. They assured officials that they would return by July 4, but since then, there has been no contact with them. Their mobile phones should be within network range by now, but calls are not going through. One person from the missing fishing boat was rescued by a passing ship, but the crew did not know the whereabouts of the others. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to intensify the search operation.
The Coast Guard is searching for the missing fishing boat in the Bay of Bengal, and officials said the boat suffered a mechanical failure off the Gangavaram coast. Search operations involving the Indian Coast Guard, the Navy, and the Marine Police, supported by Navy helicopters, have been underway since Sunday morning. The Chief Minister has also directed the Marine Inspector General and the Visakhapatnam Commissioner of Police to coordinate the search operation and provide regular updates.
Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has expressed concern over the incident and urged the state government to intensify the search and deploy additional vessels and helicopters if required. He also appealed to the government to provide immediate support to the families of the missing fishermen and keep them informed about the progress of the search operation.
