The body of a fisherman who went missing along with eight others when a vessel hit their fishing boat in the high seas five days ago was recovered today.
With this the number of fishermen who died in the incident has risen to four.
"As per a report received from Coast Guard Ship Samarth searching for missing nine fishermen, one body entangled in fishing net has been recovered by fishing boat 'Antony' and being brought to Munambam fishing harbour.
Now eight are missing," a defence spokesperson said here.
He said the body was located close to the position where collision took place.
Vessels of the navy, coast guard and fishing boats are continuing to search for the missing fishermen, the spokesperson said.
The fishermen went missing when their boat capsized after being hit by a ship about 24 nautical miles off Munambam harbour near here on Tuesday.
At the time, 14 fishermen were on board the boat.
Bodies of three fishermen killed were brought to the shore on Tuesday while two fishermen, injured in the incident, admitted to hospital, police had said.
The boat had 11 fishermen from Tamil Nadu, two from West Bengal and one from Kerala.
TheIndian Navy and Coast Guard had engaged their ships and aircraft to search and locate the missing fishermen of the 'Oceanic.'
The state government had said the search operation would continue till the fishermen were traced.
Meanwhile, officials of the Mercantile Marine Department, Coastal Police, Forensic Experts and underwater surveyors are examining an Indian merchant vessel which allegedly hit the boat.
The ship has been directed by the Navy to anchor at Mangaluru coast.
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