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Ongoing search operations for missing fishermen in India

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2026-08-28 08:16 UTC → 2026-08-28 09:21 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Search operations continue across Indian waters for multiple groups of missing fishermen. In Kerala, a multi-agency search involving the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, coastal police, and the Marine Enforcement Wing has entered its 11th day. The operation seeks to locate Gautam Krishna, John, and Shijin, who went missing following separate boat mishaps off the coasts of Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram. Search efforts utilize the vessel INS Kalpeni, Dornier aircraft, helicopters, and scuba diving teams to navigate difficult underwater conditions and estuary debris. In response to criticism from relatives regarding coordination, Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan announced plans to modernize coastal security, improve weather forecasting, and establish a permanent sea-rescue mechanism. In the Bay of Bengal, authorities have been conducting large-scale operations to find fishermen from the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district of Andhra Pradesh. A group of eight fishermen departed from the Odalarevu jetty on August 3 in a mechanized vessel but failed to return by August 12. Communication was lost on the morning of their departure, despite the vessel being equipped with mobile phones and a VHF set. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to intensify search efforts, involving the Indian Coast Guard, Navy, and fishing boats from Bhairavapalem and Paradip. ~~On Wednesday, seven~~ Seven of these ~~fishermen were~~ fishermen—identified as Kopanathi Ramakrishna, Kollati Yesudasu, Palepu Santa Rao, Kollati Srinubabu, Karri Rambabu, Sangani Tatarao, and Kataadi Satish Kumar—were located near the Shankarpur fishing harbour off the West Bengal coast after being missing for 25 days. The group reported they were stranded due to a technical engine failure and were found by local fishermen. They reported surviving without food for more than three days while stranded at sea and have since been brought back to Kakinada. Concurrently, a separate search has been launched for a 50-year-old fisherman named Appanna, who reportedly fell overboard from a mechanized boat approximately 11 nautical miles off the Visakhapatnam coast while attempting to fetch salt. Coast Guard and Navy boats have been deployed to locate him.

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