THATTA: As many as 12 fishermen went missing and four managed to swim ashore by clutching at splintered planks from wreckage of their fishing vessel which broke into two and capsised after getting slapped by violent sea waves induced by high velocity winds at Hajamro Creek, five nautical miles from Keti Bandar town at 1.30am on Saturday.

The four survivors identified as Khamiso Mallah, Usman Mallah, Haroon Channa and Siddique Mallah said that they were among the 16 fishermen onboard the Al-Siddique Hora when their boat got trapped in the killer waves late at night.

When the vessel broke into two and started sinking they managed to cling onto some splintered planks which helped them stay afloat and swim to the shore throughout the stormy night, they said.

They said they did not know of the fate of their 12 unfortunate colleagues. Seven of the missing fishermen were identified as Mohammad Amin Mallah, Latif, Allah Bux Khan, Akbar, Umar and Ghulam, all real brothers, and Bhutto who hailed from Golarchi and Khorwah towns in Badin district, said sources.

Thatta Deputy Commissioner Ghazanfar Ali Qadri said that hectic efforts were being made by the district administration, Naval and marine security agencies to rescue the missing fishermen.

PPP MPA Haji Ali Hassan Zardari, who was proactive in the rescue operation along with DC and other staff, said that despite stormy conditions in the sea, rescue teams had sailed to deep sea to save the missing men.

Adds PPI: Pakistan Maritime Security Agency’s teams rescued four fishermen and continued search for the remaining 12 in the face of strong winds which were continuously hampering the operation.

The agency’s personnel told media persons that their teams had been responding to distress calls from fishermen trapped at sea amid strong winds and harsh weather conditions.

The authorities concerned have advised fishermen not to sail into deep sea and remain vigilant during the forecast period of inclement weather conditions.

Adds APP: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah took notice of the tragedy at sea near Keti Bunder and ordered Hyderabad commissioner to submit a report on the incident.

The chief minister asked the commissioner as to who allowed the fishermen to go to sea in spite of prediction of gusty winds and rains and ordered the officer and Sindh fisheries department to help recover the missing fishermen, according to a spokesman for the chief minister.

He said that they could seek help from Pakistan Navy as well if they needed it. Sindh government would leave no stone unturned in the search for the missing fishermen, he said.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2022