Kerala coast records 469 fishermen deaths in 11 years; 160 missing, 47,773 rescued
Thiruvananthapuram: As many as 469 fishermen have lost their lives in the waters off the Kerala coast since 2015, while another 160 remain missing at sea, according to data released by the Kerala Fisheries Minister’s office.
The figures, covering the period from 2015-16 to 2025-26, underline the dangers faced by fishermen who venture into the sea for their livelihood. At the same time, the data shows the scale of rescue operations carried out to bring fishermen back safely.
Over the same 11-year period, 47,773 fishermen were rescued through dedicated operations.
The data also records hundreds of fishermen who disappeared at sea and have not been found. The highest number of missing cases in a single year was recorded in 2017-18, when 29 fishermen went missing.
The years 2016-17 and 2021-22 each recorded 26 missing fishermen.
Thousands brought back to safety
Alongside the fatalities and missing cases, the data highlights the continuing rescue efforts under the Kerala Marine Fisheries Rescue (KMFR) programme.
Authorities carried out 5,072 sea rescue operations between 2015-16 and 2025-26. More than 23,000 patrols were also conducted during the period as part of efforts to respond to emergencies at sea.
The rescue operations have resulted in 47,773 fishermen being brought to safety over the 11 years.
Record rescues in 2025-26
The 2025-26 period saw the highest number of fishermen rescued in a single year, with 6,556 people brought back to safety.
Rescue teams conducted 560 operations during the year.
The highest number of rescue missions in a single year was recorded earlier, in 2023-24, when authorities carried out 618 operations and saved 5,741 lives.
The following year, 2022-23, also saw intense rescue activity, with 602 operations resulting in 5,902 fishermen being saved.
The figures show the continuing scale of both the risks faced by Kerala's fishing community and the rescue operations mounted when fishermen encounter danger at sea.