Sri Vijaya Puram, August 18: Eight fishermen from Andhra Pradesh’s B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district remain missing in the Bay of Bengal after the fishing boat on which they had ventured into the sea failed to return as scheduled, prompting an extensive search operation involving the Indian Coast Guard and other agencies.
The fishermen left the Odalarevu jetty at 10 a.m. on August 3 for a fishing expedition and were expected to return on August 12. According to officials, communication with their families continued through mobile phones until about 11 a.m. on the day they departed. No further contact has been established since then, leaving their families awaiting information about their whereabouts.
Officials have alerted the Indian Coast Guard, which is leading search efforts to locate the missing boat and its eight occupants. The operation remains underway.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation in a meeting with officials following reports that the boat carrying fishermen from Odalarevu, Dummalapeta and Vasalatippa villages in Allavaram Mandal of B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district had gone missing at sea.
During the review, the Chief Minister sought details of the ongoing search operation and directed officials to intensify efforts until the missing fishermen and their vessel are traced.
Officials informed the meeting that the fishermen were carrying mobile phones as well as a VHF communication set on board. They estimated that the boat likely reached its intended fishing grounds around 6 p.m. on August 3.
When the vessel did not return by its scheduled date of August 12, authorities initiated a special search operation. Officials said the Coast Guard Commandant had been alerted and Coast Guard vessels were actively engaged in the search.
Fishing boats operating from Kakinada, Bhairavapalem, Visakhapatnam and Paradip have also been alerted to assist in gathering information about the missing vessel, officials said.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to remain in constant contact with the families of the missing fishermen and provide them with regular updates on the progress of the search. He also directed that all available resources be utilised and coordination maintained among the Coast Guard, the Fisheries Department and the district administration until the boat is located.
Naidu assured the affected families that the state government stands with them during the ongoing search efforts.
The incident follows another fishing tragedy reported last month near the Gangavaram coast in Visakhapatnam. In that case, a mechanised fishing vessel carrying seven fishermen capsized while returning to shore on July 4 after leaving for fishing on July 1. One fisherman was rescued by the crew of a merchant vessel and brought ashore on July 6. The remaining fishermen could not be traced despite a four-day search by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, which was called off on July 8. The state government later announced an ex gratia of ₹10 lakh each for the families of the six deceased fishermen.
