Joint search operation to locate six missing fishermen off Vizag coast on

Vishakapatnam, Jul 6 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu on Monday said that the joint search operation by the Navy and the Coast Guard entered its second day to trace the six fishermen missing off the Visakhapatnam coast. Seven fishermen who ventured into the sea from the Visakhapatnam coast on July 1 have gone missing. One of them was rescued by a passing vessel after their boat was suspected to have capsized in rough weather. Search operations are continuing to trace the remaining six. "A Joint search operation by the Navy and the Coast Guard is continuing for the second day with a naval vessel, a rescue boat and a helicopter deployed to trace the six missing fishermen," Atchannaidu said in a press release. The minister reviewed the ongoing search operation with Navy and Coast Guard officials and directed them to intensify the efforts to trace the missing fishermen and take all necessary measures to ensure their safe return. He said the search for the remaining six fishermen was continuing based on information provided by the rescued fishermen. Meanwhile, in a separate incident, 20 Andhra Pradesh fishermen stranded at sea off the Puri coast in Odisha after their fishing boat developed engine trouble are being escorted safely to shore by the Indian Coast Guard. According to the Andhra Pradesh Coastal Security Police, the fishing boat suffered engine failure and drifted into deeper waters due to adverse weather conditions. As a precautionary measure, all 20 fishermen were shifted to another fishing boat. However, rough seas prevented it from returning to the shore, forcing it to anchor offshore overnight. The Coastal Security Police said it immediately established contact with the crew after receiving information about the distress situation and coordinated with the Indian Coast Guard and the Odisha Marine Police to launch search and rescue operations. On Monday, an Indian Coast Guard vessel reached the anchored boat and established contact with the fishermen. The boat carrying all 20 fishermen is expected to reach the coast later in the day, subject to prevailing weather and sea conditions, said the Coastal Security Police in a press release. PTI MS ADB