The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : 5 Sri Lankan fishermen rescued

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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

5 Sri Lankan fishermen rescued

R. Sujatha

On April 27, their boat went adrift after the engine developed a snag

— Photo: R. Ragu

TIMELY HELP: The five Sri Lankan fishermen, who were rescued by the Coast Guard, at the Chennai Port on Saturday.

CHENNAI: Five Sri Lankan fishermen were rescued by the Coast Guard on Friday night about 146 nautical miles north east of Chennai.

G. Venu Madhav, commanding officer of Kittur Chennamma, which rescued the fishermen, said the trawler had set sail from Trincomalee on April 24. On April 27, the engine developed a snag, setting the boat adrift.

The fishermen sent messages through high frequency sets, and the Sri Lankan High Commission intimated the Indian Government which, in turn, passed on the information to the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard ship, which was on a routine patrol, was diverted on receipt of the message, said B. Rajan, executive officer, Coast Guard, District Headquarters.

“On Friday night as we were towing the trawler, suddenly the engine room developed a leak, and the boat began to sink. We rescued the fishermen and brought them here,” Mr. Madhav said.

Interrogation

The fishermen would be questioned further before being handed over to the police. After completion of the formalities, the fishermen would be sent back to Sri Lanka, he said.

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