Body of missing fisherman recovered after Muthalapozhi boat accident

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: The body of a fisherman who went missing after a fishing boat capsized near the Muthalapozhi estuary in Kerala has been recovered, while search operations continue for another missing crew member, officials said on Sunday.

The deceased, Freemon (28), a native of Anchuthengu, was found during a joint search operation involving the Coastal Police, the Fisheries Department's Marine Enforcement Wing and the Indian Coast Guard.

According to police, the body was recovered off the coast of Kannanthura, about 20 kilometres from Muthalapozhi.

Search teams are continuing efforts to locate Shijin (32), also from Anchuthengu, who remains missing after the accident.

The mishap occurred around 8.30 p.m. on July 31, when a fishing boat carrying four fishermen was struck by strong waves and capsized about 100 metres from the Muthalapozhi estuary.

Two fishermen, Jose and Smith, managed to swim ashore safely, while Freemon and Shijin were swept away by the sea.

The incident triggered protests by local fishermen and relatives of the missing men, who gathered outside the Anchuthengu Coastal Police Station and blocked a nearby road, demanding intensified search efforts.

Following the protest, the Kerala government decided to seek assistance from the Indian Navy to strengthen the search operation.

Meanwhile, separate search operations are also underway off the Vizhinjam coast, where two fishermen went missing in separate boat accidents amid rough sea conditions on Saturday.

The Vizhinjam Coastal Police, assisted by the Indian Coast Guard, are searching for John (54) of Pulluvila and Antony (63) of Kottukal.

Fishing boats had resumed operations after the 52-day trawling ban ended on the night of July 31.