PUDUCHERRY: Search operations are underway to trace a fisherman who went missing after falling into the sea while fishing off the Puducherry coast early on Thursday.
His companion, who swam back to shore for help, has been admitted to a government hospital.
The missing fisherman has been identified as Karikalan (36) of Bommaiyarpalayam in Villupuram district. He had gone fishing along with Vivek (30) of Solai Nagar North fishermen’s village in Puducherry. The two had ventured out to sea around 3 am in a newly purchased boat.
Police said the incident occurred about 20 nautical miles from the shore when both fishermen accidentally fell into the sea while fishing. As the boat’s engine was not switched off and continued circling, they were unable to get back on board.
Vivek reportedly asked Karikalan to hold on to a fishing buoy and said he would swim to shore to raise an alarm.
Vivek managed to swim back safely and reached Solai Nagar beach, where he was rescued by locals and taken to the government hospital. He is undergoing treatment.
Meanwhile, fishermen from Veerampattinam noticed an unmanned boat circling in the sea around 6 am and switched off the engine.
On checking the mobile phone found in the boat, it was identified as belonging to Vivek. Karikalan, who had been holding on to the buoy, was found missing.
On receiving information, Puducherry coastal security police inspector Thiyagarajan and his team launched a search operation. Local fishermen from Solai Nagar have also joined the effort.
As Karikalan could not be traced till Thursday evening, the coastal police have sought assistance from the Indian Coast Guard to conduct an aerial search using a helicopter.