Rough seas: Fishing boat topples over, five still missing

A total of 18 fishermen fell into the sea, but 13 have since been recovered.

KARACHI:

A fishing boat with 18 fishermen on board toppled over near Do Darya on Monday. At least five fishermen were still missing till the filing of this report, while the others were rescued by local fishermen, The Express Tribune learnt.

According to details, the fishermen - who belong to the Mirpur Sakro taluka of the Thatta district - left the area for fishing on August 29 and were on their way to Karachi; a large catch of fishes and prawns on board. The local fishermen who rescued the men claimed that the boat got stuck in high tides and was toppled over by the rough waves.

Thirteen of the toppled fishermen were rescued by the local fishermen, albeit in injured conditions, and were taken to a private hospital in Ibrahim Haidery so that they could receive treatment for their injuries.

“We were trying to find the other missing fishermen,” said Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum’s Kamal Shah. “However, we had little success and the rescue operation was called off for the day as it got dark.”

A helicopter of the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency also arrived at the site of the incident in order to help rescue the missing persons.

Shah said that Nawaz Jat, Yahya Jat, Qadar Katiyar and two persons of the Khaskheli clan were still missing. He also informed that those who were rescued have been discharged by the hospital and made their way home after being treated.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th, 2014.