Bhubaneswar: Search operation is underway to rescue four fishermen, who went missing after venturing into the sea in Balasore district, Odisha Police informed on Sunday.
“Three advanced boats have been deployed. Sagar Mitra team from the State Fisheries Department has also joined the rescue operation, which began early morning. With the assistance of drones from the Odisha Police’s Coast Guard, aerial surveillance is being conducted to locate the missing fishermen,” the post on X said.
It further stated that Indian Coast Guard has also joined the rescue efforts on the request of the state police. “Furthermore, police personnel have strengthened patrolling arrangements along the coastline, and communication has been established with marine police stations in neighbouring states to continue efforts to rescue the missing individuals,” it added.
According to sources, four members of a family – Madhusudan Giri, Gopal Giri, Rabindra Giri, and Jagannath Pal – from Kankadapal village under Baliapal block left for fishing in a motorboat around 8 am on Saturday. They were expected to be back home by noon. When they did not return even by 3-4 pm, their family members, fearing a mishap, informed Baliapal Fire Department and Baliapal Police.
It is being suspected that the boat might have broken down, leaving them stranded in the sea.