18 August,2026 12:42 PM IST | Vizag | mid-day online correspondent
Eight fishermen missing off Andhra coast (Representational image)
Eight fishermen from Andhra Pradesh's B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district went missing at sea, officials said on Tuesday.
As per IANS, the fishermen, who had set out on a boat in the Bay of Bengal for fishing earlier on August 3, were scheduled to return on August 12.
While it has been over five days since they haven't returned, the families of the fishermen were anxious, as there had been no communication from them since the time they ventured into the sea.
Andhra Pradesh officials have alerted the Indian Coast Guard, and the search was on for the missing fishermen.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu also held a review meeting with officials regarding the incident in which a boat carrying fishermen from Odalarevu, Dummalapeta, and Vasalatippa villages in Allavaram Mandal of B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema District went missing at sea.
CM Naidu also enquired about the ongoing search operations to locate the eight fishermen on board. He also directed officials to intensify the search efforts until the missing boat and fishermen are found.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that the fishermen's boat had set out to sea for fishing from the Odalarevu jetty at 10 am on August 3. They stated that while contact with family members was maintained via phone until 11 a.m., no further information was received thereafter.
Officials further noted that the fishermen were carrying mobile phones in addition to a VHF set on the boat. They estimated that the boat likely reached the fishing grounds around 6 pm that same day, as per IANS.
They also mentioned that although the boat was scheduled to return by August 12, it failed to do so, prompting the immediate launch of a special search operation.
As per the officials, it was further reported that the Coast Guard Commandant had been alerted and that Coast Guard vessels were actively conducting the search.
Fishing boats from Kakinada, Bhairavapalem, Visakhapatnam, and Paradip have been alerted, and efforts were underway to gather information regarding the missing boat, they said.
The Chief Minister directed officials to maintain constant communication with the families of the missing fishermen and keep them updated on the search operations. He emphasised the need to utilise all available avenues to locate the fishermen safely and to coordinate all necessary actions.
The Andhra Pradesh CM has also assured the affected families that the government stands firmly behind them.
(With inputs from IANS)
