Eight fishermen who had remained stranded at sea for 28 days after their fishing trawler developed an engine failure have been rescued safely. The fishermen were located along with their trawler around 100 km from the Digha estuary, near the Odisha-West Bengal coastal region, sources said on Thursday.The trawler had sailed from Andhra Pradesh about 28 days ago for a fishing trip. However, its engine suddenly broke down while it was at sea, leaving the vessel without control. It gradually drifted towards the coastal waters near Odisha and West Bengal.The eight fishermen remained helpless for several days before another fishing trawler fortunately spotted them. They sought assistance from the crew, who subsequently alerted the authorities at Digha estuary through wireless communication.Following the alert, the local administration and rescue teams launched efforts to bring the fishermen to safety. All eight were eventually rescued along with their fishing boat. Police provided them with preliminary medical treatment following the rescue.The fishermen reportedly endured severe hardship during their prolonged stay at sea. According to them, their drinking water supply ran out, forcing them to melt ice and use it as drinking water for around three days.Information about their safe rescue has also been conveyed to the Andhra Pradesh government, bringing relief to their families. The incident has once again raised concerns over the safety and emergency communication arrangements available to fishermen operating far from the coast.When they (members of another crew) informed me, and I went there, they (the stranded fishermen) were crying. I approached them, and they told me they had been broken down for 28 days. When I asked where their home was, they said Andhra. Immediately, I gave them some dry food, drinking water, and whatever else they needed,” a local administrative official, Sumanta Barman, said.“Then, we informed all the channels associated with the Digha-Shankarpur fishermen’s outfit, coordinated with them, and brought them here,” the senior official added.
28 days ordeal at sea: 8 fishermen rescued near Odisha-West Bengal coast after engine failure stranded them
