Search continues for 3 missing fishermen in Kollam

Friday, March 02, 2012: An intense search launched by the navy, Coast Guard and the Marine Enforcement to trace the three missing fishermen and track down the ship which caused the boat accident off southern coast of Kerala, is still continuing, officials said.
The missing persons have been identified as Babichan, Suresh and Cletus, police told. Even though the search and rescue operations continued till late night yesterday they couldn’t trace the missing persons.
The two deaths have shocked the fishing community of Neendakara in Kollam district as it happened within two weeks after two fishermen were allegedly shot dead by marines onboard Italian ship ‘Enrica Lexie’.
Two of the fishermen of the boat, ‘Dawn’, which set out from Neendakara fishing harbour in Kollam on Sunday with seven persons onboard, were rescued and brought to Thottappaly fishing harbour in Alappuzha district. The deceased were identified as Francis Justine and Xavier.
Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said a high-level meeting of the navy, Coast Guard and the state authorities will be held here on March 5 to take effective measures to ensure safety of fishermen in the sea.
The solatium for the deceased fishermen would be decided at the next cabinet meeting, Fisheries Minister K Babu said.