The search for five Kasimedu fishermen missing after their boat suffered engine failure near Andhra Pradesh’s Ramayapatnam Port has been intensified, while Tamil Nadu Finance Minister N Marie Wilson is coordinating the operation from the state. Four other fishermen from the same group have died, according to officials cited by PTI.
The nine fishermen left Chennai on October 29 during Cyclone Murasu. Their mechanised boat developed engine trouble near Ramayapatnam Port on November 3. Four bodies were later recovered along the Kothapatnam coast in Andhra Pradesh’s Prakasam district and from the sea. The Indian Coast Guard is involved in the search for the five fishermen who remain unaccounted for.
The deceased were identified as Murugan, Vijayakanth, Mohan and Kuppusamy. They were found washed ashore in Andhra Pradesh, and their bodies were taken to RIMS Hospital in Ongole. The Tamil Nadu government has assumed responsibility for the cost and logistics of transporting the bodies back to their families in Kasimedu, Chennai.
Wilson, who is currently in Andhra Pradesh on the directions of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, is coordinating with officials in the state to expedite the search and related activities. The minister said the boat allegedly lacked mandatory safety equipment, proper commercial insurance and important regulatory documents. She said the government would streamline marine safety protocols and enforcement mechanisms.
The incident has also triggered criticism of the response. DMK MP Kanimozhi accused the state government of failing to launch an immediate rescue operation, according to the report. The Indian Coast Guard’s search operation is continuing, but the supplied report does not provide details of the search area, the vessels or aircraft deployed, or the latest status of the five missing fishermen.
Chief Minister Vijay has announced an initial relief payment of Rs 7 lakh for each affected family and condoled the deaths. Fisheries Minister Srinath visited Kasimedu, met the bereaved families, paid floral tributes to the four deceased fishermen and distributed the announced financial assistance.
The episode has placed attention on the practical enforcement of marine safety requirements for fishing vessels, including equipment, insurance and regulatory documentation. The Tamil Nadu government has said it will review and strengthen these mechanisms. The immediate official priorities remain locating the five missing fishermen, completing the return of the recovered bodies and supporting the affected families.
