Six Fishermen Missing at Sea: Families Wait in Anguish as Search Intensifies
What began as a routine fishing voyage has turned into an agonising wait for families of six fishermen who remain missing at sea off Visakhapatnam.
Kari Masenamma, wife of Karri Chinna—the sole survivor rescued by a passing merchant vessel on Sunday morning—expressed relief but remains deeply worried about her husband's crewmates. The couple had been looking forward to celebrating their wedding anniversary on July 21.
The missing men have been identified as Appalaraju, Bandiyya, Garagayya, Seetudu, Chinna Ammoru, and Chinnayya, most hailing from Mukkam village in Vizianagaram district and the Bheemunipatnam region.
Families, including children and women, have been keeping vigil at the Visakhapatnam fishing harbour, hoping for any information from search teams. Every ringing phone raises hopes of good news, only to be met with silence.
The incident occurred on July 4 when the fishing vessel reportedly suffered engine failure amid worsening weather conditions in the Bay of Bengal, leading to a loss of contact. A multi-agency search operation involving the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and Marine Police is underway to trace the missing fishermen.
