Fisherman goes missing off Vizag coast, search operation underway

A 50-year-old fisherman, Appanna has gone missing after falling off a fishing boat near the Visakhapatnam coast, according to the Marine Police.

Appanna was one of the eight crew members who had set out to sea on August 16. As the boat was heading back around 1 am on Thursday, August 20, Appanna walked to the back of the vessel to fetch salt to preserve the catch. Moments later, the crew heard a splash. When they went to check, he was nowhere to be found, PTI reported.

An official confirmed that the incident occurred about 11 nautical miles off the coast. The boat owner's brother reported Appanna's disappearance to authorities around midnight, prompting a joint search operation by the Coast Guard and Navy. As of the latest update, Appanna had not been located, though the search was continuing. The rest of the crew remained at sea to assist with the search.

State Home Minister V Anitha has instructed the fisheries department, marine police, and coast guard to step up their coordinated efforts to find him. She also asked for a full briefing on the incident and checked on the wellbeing of the other crew members, instructing officials to use every available resource to bring Appanna home safely. 

Anitha also urged fishermen to take extra safety precautions while at sea and assured the family that the government is standing by them and closely tracking the search.