RAMESWARAM: A mechanised fishing boat caught in strong surface winds sunk in mid-sea in the Palk straits off the coast here, while three of its fishermen were rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy and the fate of another fishermen is yet unknown.
A representative of the Rameswaram Fishermen’s Association, Sagayam, told DC on Sunday that as many as 642 mechanised boats put out to sea from here on Saturday with a large contingent of fishermen.
The group of fishermen were returning to the shores in the wee hours of Sunday after fishing in the waters near Katchatheevu Island when one of the boats, belonging to one Malairaj of Rameswaram, suffered a dent and began to sink in the rough seas amid high-speed winds.
Personnel of a Sri Lankan Naval vessel passing by that side fortunately rescued three of its fishermen-occupants, Anthony (52), Soundarapandi (42), and Joseph (45), all from Rameswaram. The rescued fishermen have been reportedly taken to Talaimannar in Northern Sri Lanka, said Sagayam.
The fate of the fourth fishermen in the sinking boat, Vilvaraj (42), who jumped into the sea in a bid to escape the swirling waters remains unknown, Sagayam said, adding, the latest incident has yet again shocked the fishing community here.
Sagayam urged both the State and Central governments to take immediate steps to bring home the three fishermen taken to Sri Lanka and also mount a search for the other missing fisherman.
