In a tragic incident off the coast of Andhra Pradesh, four bodies of fishermen were recovered after their boat capsized in Cyclone Murasu, while five others remain missing, Xinhua reported on Tuesday. The victims were all from the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu and had set out together from the same boat on Oct. 29, a day before the cyclone hit southern coastal areas in the early hours of Tuesday, the report said.
According to local government officials, the fishing boat capsized almost two kilometres from the seashore. The three bodies that were washed ashore were found near the Kothapatnam beach, while the fourth body was recovered from the sea by Indian Coast Guard officials, Xinhua added.
A senior government official, Raja Babu, told reporters that his team was in touch with counterparts in Tamil Nadu regarding the missing fishermen, and efforts were being made to locate them. Xinhua noted that the search and rescue operation was still ongoing at the time of reporting.
While Xinhua’s briefing did not cite other outlets, it emphasized the coordination between local authorities and the Coast Guard and the continued search for the five missing fishermen. The report did not mention the names of the victims or the exact reason for their lack of communication with the authorities.
The incident underscores the danger fishermen face during severe weather events such as Cyclone Murasu, which swept across the region early in the morning, taking many waves and gusts that led to the capsize of the vessel. The bodies recovered and the missing men represent an ongoing humanitarian concern for the fishing community in the affected area.