Two fishermen killed in boat tragedy off Maharashtra

Two fishermen were killed and two other injured on a boat 'Ekveera Prasanna' after an on board explosion on the vessel off Harnai Port in coastal Ratnagiri, an Indian Coast Guard spokesperson said here on Friday.

The explosion, reportedly due to an overheated radiator, occurred late in the night of May 15 and the two injured fishermen on the board the vessel were rescued by a fishing vessel Lakshya Vedi which was sailing nearby.

Another two fishermen were reported missing since then and the Indian Coast Guard launched a search and rescue mission to trace them for two days.

The ICG diverted its patrol ships, and deployed an interceptor boat from Murud-Janjira the following day besides launching a helicopter surveillance.

Around 11 a.m. on Thursday, the ICG helicopter sighted one body off the Harnai Port which was recovered by its ship in the vicinity. It was identified as one of the missing fishermen, Aarif, and has been handed over to his family.

The second was washed away more than 30 kms south and located near the Kolthare Beach on Thursday evening. It was found wedged between some rocks near the beach and an ICG ship retrieved it.

Identified as the second missing fisherman Hanif and handed over to the family.

--IANS

qn/ahm/