Four Tamil Nadu fishermen's bodies found after boat capsizes near Andhra coast
Search operations continue for five other fishermen missing after their vessel overturned during Cyclone Murasu.
Four fishermen from Tamil Nadu have been found dead after their boat overturned off the Andhra Pradesh coast during Cyclone Murasu, according to The New Indian Express on Thursday. Prakasam District Collector P Raja Babu stated that while four bodies have been retrieved, search efforts are ongoing to locate five other missing fishermen.
The incident occurred on November 3 when nine fishermen aboard a boat anchored at Nizampatnam Port began moving towards Ramayapatnam Port. The vessel encountered strong winds and severe weather, causing it to capsize, as reported by the Collector. The fishermen reportedly started the journey without notifying authorities in either Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu.
Of the four recovered bodies, three washed ashore at Kothapatnam and one was found during search operations. All four are being moved to the Government General Hospital mortuary. The Collector noted that the Tamil Nadu government has shared the names and photographs of the nine fishermen and has sent a team, including a Fisheries department assistant director, to Andhra Pradesh.
The fishermen had originally left Chennai on October 29 and were advised to move their boats to safer locations due to the approaching cyclone. On November 2, Tamil Nadu officials had confirmed that the boats and fishermen were safe at their respective ports. The Coast Guard was alerted to launch rescue operations following the capsizing.
Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu crossed the south Andhra Pradesh coast early on Tuesday between Nellore and Narasapur, near Ongole. The Collector said the recovered bodies will be handed over to Tamil Nadu officials once necessary formalities are completed.