Search operations launched to trace five missing fishermen

The Indian Coast Guard, Tamil Nadu Marine Police and Fisheries Department have launched search operations to trace the whereabouts of five fishermen from Nagapattinam district, missing since October 3.
On the order of Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, a search operation co-ordinated with air support has been launched to trace the fishermen, who are missing since Friday last, an official release said here today.
Five fishermen from Tranquebar and Vanavanmadevi fishing hamlets ventured into the high seas for deep sea fishing in the early hours of October 3, it added.
Tarangambadi fishermen panchayat officials said 12 fishermen, five in a fibre glass vessel and seven in a mechanised boat, ventured for deep sea fishing. All of them were fishing 40 nautical miles east off Kodiakkarai.

On Tuesday night, the fishermen in the mechanised boat found the five fishermen missing. After searching for them in the vicinity, they tried to contact them through mobile, but in vain.