20 Andhra fishermen rescued off Odisha coast to reach Vizag: Minister

Visakhapatnam, Jul 7 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu has said all the fishermen stranded off the Paradip coast in Odisha have safely reached Paradip Harbour and will arrive in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday. The fishermen were rescued after their fishing boat developed engine trouble and drifted into deeper waters due to adverse weather conditions off the Odisha coast. "All the stranded fishermen are safe and have reached Paradip Harbour. They are scheduled to arrive in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday," Atchannaidu said in a press release issued on Monday. Medical examinations conducted at Paradip Harbour confirmed that all the fishermen are in good health, said the Minister. Personnel from the Ichchapuram Police have reached Paradip Harbour on behalf of the Andhra Pradesh government and are overseeing the necessary arrangements for the fishermen, he said. "The safety of the fishermen is the government's highest priority. We have been coordinating with the concerned officials at every stage and have taken all necessary measures for their well-being. It is a matter of great relief that all of them are safe," the minister said. He said the state government would extend all necessary assistance to the fishermen after they arrive in Visakhapatnam. Meanwhile, Fisherman Kari Chinna, one of the seven fishermen who went missing after venturing into the sea from the Visakhapatnam coast on July 1, was brought safely to INS Dega in Visakhapatnam on Monday by rescue personnel with the help of an Indian Navy helicopter. The medical examinations conducted on him have shown him to be in good health. Search operations are continuing to trace the remaining six fishermen. PTI MS ADB