Porbandar: Attempts to trace at least five missing fishermen in squally Arabian sea owing to inclement weather from two boats which capsized off Porbandar coast of Gujarat were on even as the Indian Coast Guard has saved over 40 fishermen and towed five boats back to coasts during an ongoing rescue operation with the help of ships and chopper.

10 injured fishermen have been admitted to local hospital.

Large number of fishing boats had ventured in to the sea despite warning of the met department yesterday.

Many of them got stranded in the sea and sent SOS messages prompting the coast guard to swing in to action.

Defense spokesperson Wing Commander Abhishek Matiman in a statement said that owing to the prevalent severe weather conditions in the saurashtra area, Indian Coast Guard carried out search and rescue for seven reported fishing boats.

The details are as follows –

Fishing boat Samai Raj which reported ingress of sea water in engine room 25 Nautical Miles (NM) off Porbandar has been rescued and towed by ICGS Ankit safely to Porbandar harbour at 2000 hrs last night. The boat has been handed over to the owner at Porbandar harbour.

Fishing boat Mahadev which has been stranded 30 NM off Porbandar due to engine failure is being rescued by ICGS Samrat which has established contact with the boat and will tow the boat to Porbandar today.

Two fishing boats, Krishna (07 crew) and Sahil (06 crew) got grounded near light house and 01 boat, Hariom (08 Crew) grounded near chawpatty beach at Porbandar. In addition to that, 01 boat capsized in Porbandar harbour. The capsized boat has been identified as Rozi Krupa (07 crew). All the crew from the grounded boats and 03 crew from fishing boat Rozi Krupa have been rescued by Indian Coast Guard. Search and rescue for the missing 04 crew is in progress. Ten fishermen who were injured during the rescue attempt were immediately provided medical attention at Medical Inspection room of District Head Quarters Coast Guard. Subsequently the injured were handed over to the owners of the respective boats for further treatment at Government Hospital, Porbandar. Search and rescue efforts were undertaken by aerial support through Coast Guard ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter) as well. Further search and rescue efforts are on.

Five out of 06 fishermen from fishing boat Pushpak which capsized around 25- 30 NM off Porbandar have reached Porbandar safely on another fishing boat.

Search and rescue effort by the Indian Coast Guard for the missing fishermen continues, he said.

DeshGujarat