Four Myanmar fishermen rescued near Nagapattinam

Four Myanmar fishermen, who were stranded at sea for nearly three weeks, were rescued by the Indian Coast Guard and brought to the Nagapattinam port in Tamil Nadu on Friday (December 6, 2024) morning.

Four Myanmar fishermen, who were stranded at sea for nearly three weeks, were rescued by the Indian Coast Guard and brought to the Nagapattinam port in Tamil Nadu on Friday (December 6, 2024) morning.

The fishermen, who only speak Burmese, had set out on a bamboo raft from Bogale, Myanmar, on November 7, 2024. Severe weather conditions, including rough seas and the aftermath of recent floods in Myanmar, had caused their anchor to break, pushing their raft over 1,000 nautical miles into the Indian waters.

The fishermen — identified as Kyi Lucin, 58, Aung Sanage, 23, Win Zaw, 48, and Than Soe, 43 — were found drifting on a 10-foot-long and 12-foot-wide bamboo raft without a motor. This traditional fishing method, common in Bogale, involves fishermen staying on the raft for days before returning to the shore. This trip, however, turned perilous due to the disturbances at sea, leaving them stranded and without food.

Local fishermen from Akkaraipettai, Nagapattinam, noticed the raft while returning from a fishing trip and approached it. The Myanmar fishermen were found weak and starving, so they provided them with food and immediately alerted the Indian Coast Guard using a walkie-talkie. Responding swiftly, the Coast Guard dispatched a rescue vessel and brought the fishermen and their raft to the Nagapattinam port.

The rescued individuals are now in the custody of the Nagapattinam Marine Police. After their rescue, with the help of locals familiar with Burmese, the Marine Police confirmed the fishermen’s identities and learned that they had lost their way.

Officials have alerted the Mayanmar embassy to assist in further identification and legal proceedings. An FIR has been filed, and the fishermen are to be presented before the Chennai Metropolitan Court by Saturday (December 7, 2024) night for further action.