A mechanized fishing boat from Vizag’s fishing harbour was destroyed by a fire while at sea, from the coast of Visakhapatnam on Sunday. Fortunately, all five fishermen aboard managed to escape without any serious injuries.
According to reports from local fisherfolk, the group had ventured out for a routine fishing trip when the boat’s engine caught fire. The blaze quickly spread to other parts of the vessel, forcing the fishermen to abandon the boat and leap into the sea to save their lives. They were rescued by a nearby fishing boat that was operating in the vicinity.
The fire, suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit, completely destroyed the boat, resulting in an estimated loss of ₹35 lakh.
Officials from the fisheries department, fire services, and other concerned agencies are expected to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire. In the meantime, leaders of local fishermen’s associations have urged the Andhra Pradesh government to provide financial assistance to the boat owner, whose livelihood has been severely affected by the incident.
Source: Deccan Chronicle