Xinhua reported that four fishermen’s bodies were recovered in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh on Thursday after their boat capsized two kilometres off the coast during Cyclone Murasu, which struck the region early Tuesday.
The nine men had set out on Oct. 29 for a fishing trip in a single boat that was caught in the cyclone’s onslaught. As the storm intensified, the vessel overturned and was swept away from the shore. Three of the victims’ bodies were found washed up near Kothapatnam beach, while a fourth was retrieved from the sea by Indian Coast Guard officials.
Local authorities confirmed that five fishermen are still missing and are believed to be trapped in or near the wreckage. Senior government official Raja Babu said the coastal team was in touch with counterparts in Tamil Nadu, where the missing men hail from, and that efforts were underway to locate them.
The bodies were recovered amid heightened search operations that involved local officials and Coast Guard units. The incident highlights the severe impact of Cyclone Murasu on coastal communities, as the storm brought high winds and waves that left the small boat vulnerable.
While the recovered bodies have been confirmed, the status of the missing fishermen remains uncertain, and the search continues as officials coordinate between Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to recover all nine men.
