Five Tamil Nadu fishermen found dead in Andhra Pradesh
Search operations continue for four more missing fishermen after their trawler went missing during Cyclone Murasu.
The bodies of five fishermen from Kasimedu were recovered along the Kothapatnam shoreline in Andhra Pradesh’s Prakasam district on Thursday, according to The New Indian Express.
The five individuals were among nine crew members who went missing off the Andhra Pradesh coast during Cyclone Murasu. While four of the deceased have been identified, the government has only released the names of S Mohan, A Murugan, and C Vijayakanth.
Chief Minister Vijay announced on Thursday that the families of the nine fishermen will receive Rs 7 lakh each in compensation. An immediate relief of Rs 2 lakh per family will be provided, and the state will pay to transport the bodies to Tamil Nadu.
The trawler, owned by Selvazhagan, departed Kasimedu fishing harbour on October 29 with nine crew members. On November 3, a nearby boat received a distress call stating the engine had failed and water was entering the engine room.
Prakasam Collector P Raja Babu stated the vessel had anchored safely in Nizampatnam fishing harbour before sailing south towards Ramayapatnam without notice. However, G Manivannan of the Chennai Mechanised Boat Fishermen Welfare Association disputed this, saying the boat had anchored in a sheltered bay.
Tamil Nadu Finance Minister N Marie Wilson said a detailed inquiry will be initiated to determine the exact circumstances of the incident. Search operations remain underway for the four fishermen who are still missing.