Four Fishermen Saved After Sri Lankan Boat Disaster

COLOMBO (News 1st); A Sri Lankan fishing vessel that had ventured deep into international waters southeast of the island has met with disaster, resulting in the death of one fisherman and the disappearance of another, according to the Sri Lanka Navy.

Navy spokesperson Commander Buddika Samapath confirmed that one fisherman went missing at the time of the incident, while another drowned. Survivors reported that the deceased's body was released into the sea following the tragedy.

The vessel reportedly encountered trouble approximately 350 nautical miles southeast of Sri Lanka in recent days. At the time of the incident, six fishermen were aboard, according to police sources.

The Navy further stated that four of the surviving crew members were rescued by an Indonesian fishing vessel and have since been transferred to a merchant ship currently en route to Sri Lanka.

A Sri Lankan Navy Ship Sindurala is now approaching the merchant ship to facilitate their safe return.

The ill-fated fishing vessel had departed from the Dewundara fishing harbor in Matara on August 31 for deep-sea fishing operations.

The Department of Fisheries reported that the vessel capsized near Maldivian international waters, after which the fishermen drifted toward Indonesian maritime territory.