600 fishermen from Goa, Guj missing or stranded in Arabian sea

(Incorporating related series)

Panaji/Ahmedabad, Nov 11 (PTI) Around 600 fishermen from
India's western states of Gujarat and Goa were Wednesday
missing or stranded off the Western Coast afer the sea became
rough in the cyclonic storm, as Coast guard and Navy deployed
ships and aircraft for search and rescue missions.

At least 35 trawlers carrying about 200 crew members from
Goa were missing after gusty winds lashed the western coast
since the last two days while around 400 fishermen from
Gujarat who had ventured into the sea in about 60 boats were
stranded.
Fishermen at Malim jetty, located across Mandovi river
near Goa capital Panaji said more than 28 trawlers have not
returned and lost contact with the base for last two days.
"There can be more than 28 trawlers. What I am telling
you is the figure available at this time," Menino Afonso,
chairman, Mandovi Fisheries Co-operative Society, told PTI.
Each trawler carries an average six crew members, he
said, adding that the attempt to contact these trawlers have
turned futile. "There is a possibility they must have been
dragged away from Goa state waters and ventured in Malwan
(Maharashtra)," Afonso said.
Indian Coast Guard which has initiated search and rescue
operations have said that they are flooded with the
missing complaints since Tuesday.
"An aircraft has been commissioned in search and
rescue operation," Commandant A K Saxena, Indian Coast Guard,
told PTI in Panaji.
Two trawlers from Cutbona jetty in south Goa and four
from Betul jetty are also reported missing. (MORE) PTI TEAM
ANU


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