VASCO: One of the nine crew members onboard a canoe was feared drowned after falling into the sea off Katem Baina coast on Sunday morning.
According to available information, the incident was reported at 9.10 am when nine crew members onboard a canoe were returning after carrying out fishing activities.
Forty-one-year-old Naga Tandel, a resident of Katem Baina and the owner of canoe ‘Ashish’ along with eight others were on their way back after carrying out fishing activities in the deep sea.
When they were about 20 metres from the shore, due to high tide and rough sea conditions, their canoe flipped on to its side and two crew members fell into the sea. The others managed to save one crew member, while Shrikant Yadav (25), a native of Chhattisgarh was reported missing. Search and rescue operations were carried out by Drishti lifeguards and by the coastal police. However, Yadav could not be traced.
The Drishti Lifesaving Pvt Ltd, in a press release, has revealed that the victim was not wearing a life jacket and didn’t know to swim.
“Soon after we received the information about the incident, Drishti lifeguard Mariyappa Harizan set off on a jet ski and began searching for the victim. The victim is yet to be traced. The Drishti Lifesaving Pvt Ltd had earlier issued a monsoon advisory, cautioning visitors and locals not to venture into the sea, as the weather and sea conditions can be unpredictable” the release stated.
Meanwhile, the police informed that they had launched an interceptor boat but were unable to trace Yadav till evening. Police have also informed Coast Guard to maintain surveillance.
