Body of missing fisherman found after boat capsized off Bhatkal Coast; Search continues for three others

Bhatkal: 31 July,25 (Bhatkallys News Bureau) The body of one of the missing fishermen who went missing after a fishing boat capsized off the Tenginagundi coast near Bhatkal on July 30 was recovered on Thursday. Search operations continue for the remaining three missing fishermen.

The deceased has been identified as Ramakrishna Mogera (40), a resident of Jali Kodi in Bhatkal. His body was found on Thursday afternoon near the Honnegadde shore of Tenginagundi and was shifted to the Bhatkal Government Hospital.

Tragically, this is the second such loss for the family. Two years ago, Ramakrishna’s son had died in a similar boat accident. With Ramakrishna’s death now, his wife and daughter have been left devastated and without support.

The group of fishermen had set out from Alvekodi shore near Shirali on Tuesday around 3 pm in a boat named Mahasati Gillnet. Within half an hour of departure, the boat is said to have been hit by a large wave and capsized. The fishermen were thrown into the sea.

Out of the six fishermen on board, two managed to survive by holding on to the overturned boat and swimming to shore. They have been identified as Manohar Eerayya Mogera (31) and Rama Masti Kharvi (43). Both were admitted to Bhatkal Government Hospital and later shifted to a private hospital in Kundapur for further treatment.

The three fishermen still missing have been identified as Satish Timmappa Mogera (26), Ganesh Manjunath Mogera (27), and Nishchith Mogera (30) from Murdeshwar.

Joint search operations are being carried out by the Coastal Security Police, Indian Coast Guard, local police, and fishermen. The operation has been intensified with hopes of tracing the missing men soon.

On Thursday morning, State Minister for Fisheries, Ports and Inland Transport and Uttara Kannada District In-charge Minister Mankal Vaidya visited the Tenginagundi coast and reviewed the ongoing search efforts. He instructed officials to continue the search with full force and provided guidance to the rescue teams. He also met the family of deceased fisherman Ramakrishna Mogera and offered his condolences.
 
Authorities suspect that the accident may have been caused due to strong monsoon winds and high waves. The district administration has issued a cautionary advisory to all fishermen along the coast, urging them to monitor weather forecasts before venturing into the sea.

The search operations are still underway, with local fishermen actively assisting in the efforts.