Nine Days Since Fishermen Went Missing; Rescue Operations Make Little Progress as UDF Government Faces Criticism

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government and Fisheries Department are facing criticism over the slow pace of search operations for fishermen who have gone missing at sea, with families alleging that authorities have failed to put in place adequate rescue arrangements.

Nine days have passed since Gautham Krishnan, a young fisherman from Puthenthura in Neendakara, Kollam, went missing after a fishing boat capsized. Despite the passage of more than a week, authorities have yet to locate him or establish more effective search arrangements.

Several other fishermen remain missing. John Mathias, who went missing after venturing into the sea from Vizhinjam, Freemon, who disappeared near Muthalapozhi, and Pushpangadan, a native of Kadur in Alappuzha, have also not been traced. Search operations for all four missing fishermen are continuing at a slow pace.

The Fisheries Department, which is expected to coordinate emergency rescue operations during maritime accidents, has come under scrutiny over its response. Officials have reportedly been using ageing fishing boats hired from private operators for search operations, raising concerns over the safety of the personnel involved.

Fishermen's families and others have also questioned why senior officials and the Fisheries Minister have not visited the affected coastal areas to assess the situation and oversee the rescue efforts.

Fisheries Minister V.E. Abdul Gafoor defended the government's response, saying the new administration had been in office for only two months and that searches were being conducted using the available facilities. He also said officials were in contact with the families.

When asked why he had not visited the affected areas, the minister said the immediate priority was to locate the missing fishermen.