Indian Navy rescue one fisherman in Visakhapatnam, search for 6 others continue | Watch

Six fishermen have gone missing after their boat veered off on the Visakhapatnam coast, with one of them safely brought to shore after a rescue operation on Monday.

Search operations for the other six are ongoing after the fishing boat, IND-AP-MM-VS-83, went missing after the fishermen ventured into the sea on July 1.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who is closely monitoring the rescue operation, directed officials to intensify the search for the missing fishermen. He instructed authorities to expand the search around Gangavaram, where the boat capsized, and widen the search radius.

One fisherman rescued

The lone survivor, Kari Chinna, owned the boat and was rescued by MV Universe Wealthy last weekend.

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The rescue operation was launched after weather conditions improved enough to permit an airlift. It was carried out jointly by the Indian Coast Guard, the Indian Navy and the Visakhapatnam Port authorities.

According to the Coastal Security Police, information about the missing fishing boat was received from members of the fishing community at around 11 pm on July 4.

What happened?

The seven fishermen had left for fishing on July 1 and had informed their family members that they would return by 2 pm on July 4.

However, after their mobile phones were found switched off, the families informed the Coast Guard and Marine Police.

Rao said the fishermen were returning after completing their fishing activity when contact with their boat was lost, adding that the boat is suspected to have capsized amid rough weather and strong winds.

With inputs from agencies