Cargo vessel hits fishing boat off Kerala, two killed

Kochi: At least two fishermen were killed and one went missing after a cargo ship bearing Panama flag hit a fishing boat here on the high seas. A fisherman of the ill-fated boat stated that the incident occurred at around 0200 hours on Sunday. Eleven fishermen were rescued by another fishing boat.

According to preliminary reports, one among the dead is from Colachel in Tamil Nadu while the other is from Assam. The missing fisherman is said to be from Uttar Pradesh. The injured fishermen were immediately taken to the nearby hospital where the doctors stated that their conditions are stable.

One of the fishermen, who is being treated in the hospital stated, "The incident occurred around 16 nautical miles from the coast here. There was no warning and after hitting the boat, they sailed away without stopping. Another fishing boat came and rescued us."

Kochi Police Commissioner M.P. Dinesh said that the Kochi Port Trust authorities have already detained the ship 'Amber'.

"Orders have been given to bring the ship to the coast here. The Coast Guard and Indian Navy officials are working together to bring the ship here. A case under section of culpable homicide will be registered against the officials of the ship," said Dinesh.

IANS