Two fishermen drown after fishing boat capsizes in Kochi

Two fishermen drowned after a motorised fishing boat carrying five people capsized in the Arabian Sea off the Puthuvype Lighthouse here on Saturday morning.

The deceased have been identified as Sebastian Arakkal alias Devassy, 70, and Sabu Pallath, 58, both natives of Puthuvype.

According to the Fort Kochi Coastal police, the accident occurred around 8.30 a.m. when fishermen who were aboard eight small boats were deploying their nets about 15 m west of the shoreline near the Puthuvype Lighthouse.

Sebastian and Sabu were swept away by the strong currents after a powerful wave suddenly struck their boat causing it to overturn. Three fishermen managed to swim back to the shore safely.

The bodies of Sebastian and Sabu were found around 10.30 am after an extensive search operation carried out by fellow fishermen and the marine wing of the coastal police. The victims were rushed to Ernakulam General Hospital, where doctors declared them brought dead. The police have registered a case over unnatural deaths.