Body of missing fisherman from Muthalapozhi recovered; search for others continues
Thiruvananthapuram: The body of one of the two fish workers who went missing after a fishing boat capsized at Muthalapozhi in Thiruvananthapuram district on Friday night was recovered on Sunday morning following a joint search operation. The deceased has been identified as Freemon, 28, a native of Anchuthengu.
Freemon’s body was recovered from Kannanthura, around 23 kilometres away from Muthalapozhi, during a combined operation carried out by the Indian Coast Guard, Coastal Police, and the Marine Enforcement Wing. The body will be taken to the Government Medical College Hospital here for post-mortem examination.
The search continues for another Anchuthengu native, Shijin, 32, who was in the same boat. The tragedy unfolded on Friday night when the boat carrying four fish workers capsized near the Muthalapozhi estuary after it was caught in strong currents. Two of the fish workers, Smith and Jose, managed to swim through the currents and reach the shore.
On Saturday, local fisherfolk, including relatives of the missing, staged strong protests near Anchuthengu, alleging laxity on the part of the authorities in carrying out extensive search operations to save the two fish workers. A tense situation prevailed in the area as the protesters blocked the road near the Coastal Police Station at Anchuthengu.
In a separate incident, two other fish workers who ventured out from the Vizhinjam coast on Friday evening are also missing. They have been identified as Antony and John.
Transport Minister C.P. John, who is in charge of coordinating flood-related activities in Thiruvananthapuram district, said on Saturday that the Indian Navy’s Garuda helicopter had carried out aerial searches that day. He added that the operations would continue on Sunday as well to rescue the remaining fishers.
The development comes as the region has been experiencing heavy rains and rough sea conditions. Local fishing communities have expressed concerns over the safety of those venturing into the sea during such weather, and have called for better coordination between agencies to ensure timely rescue.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid venturing into the sea in the prevailing weather conditions. The search operations are being monitored by senior officials, and efforts are on to track the missing fishers using radar and other equipment.
