Six fishermen missing after boat capsizes off Visakhapatnam coast

Six fishermen went missing and one was rescued by a passing cruise ship after a fishing boat carrying seven fishermen was suspected to have capsized off Visakhapatnam coast in rough weather conditions, a fishermen’s association leader said on Sunday (July 5, 2026).

After family members reported that communication with the crew had been lost, the Indian Coast Guard and Marine Police began search operations to trace the missing fishermen.

Lakshman Rao, president of Vizag Fishing Boats Association, said, “One fisherman was rescued by a cruise ship, while search efforts are on for the remaining six fishermen.” he said. PTI.

According to Rao, around 400 fishing boats ventured to sea and many of them were affected by high winds and adverse weather conditions as the monsoon approached.

The seven fishermen set out to fish on July 1 and informed their family members that they would return by 14:00 on July 4.

However, when their mobile phones were found turned off, the families informed the Coast Guard and Marine Police.

Rao stated that the fishermen returned after completing their fishing activities after contact with their boats was lost, and added that the boat was suspected to have capsized due to harsh weather and strong winds.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu spoke to senior officials about the six fishermen missing in Visakhapatnam and reviewed the ongoing rescue efforts.

Authorities informed the Prime Minister about the measures taken to trace the missing fishermen.

Naidu instructed them to intensify the search operation by deploying more Coast Guard ships and was informed that the rescue operation has been expanded with the deployment of Navy helicopters.

He also directed the Navy and Visakhapatnam Police officials to coordinate the search efforts at sea and asked the officials to update him regularly about the progress of the operation.