Chennai, Nov 10:
A six-day search and rescue operation for nine Kasimedu fishermen whose mechanised fishing boat capsized in the Bay of Bengal during Cyclone Murasu concluded on Sunday with the recovery of the remaining two bodies along the Andhra Pradesh coast.
The deceased fishermen were identified as Rajesh (52), a resident of Tiruchinankuppam near Kasimedu, and Narayanan (57) from Samiyarpettai in Cuddalore district. The vessel had set sail from the Kasimedu fishing harbour before being caught in rough sea conditions and gale winds triggered by the cyclonic system. Five bodies were retrieved and brought to shore on November 6, while two others were found over the weekend, taking the total death toll from the capsizing incident to nine.
Following the completion of inquests and post-mortem procedures at a government hospital in Andhra Pradesh, authorities coordinated the return of the mortal remains to Tamil Nadu. Narayanan’s body was sent to his native village in Samiyarpettai, while Rajeshâs body was handed over to his grieving family in Nammalwarpet, Purasawalkam.