Amaravati: A massive search operation was underway in the Bay of Bengal for seven fishermen from Andhra Pradesh who had set out to sea earlier this month, officials said on Thursday. Agriculture minister K Atchannaidu said the search operation involves two Dornier aircraft, a helicopter, and seven boats of the Navy and the Coast Guard. He said Navy boats were deployed for extensive search from Visakhapatnam towards Paradip. A Navy vessel is also searching towards the port area. Dornier aircraft from Visakhapatnam, Kolkata, and Chennai were engaged in the search operation. A Navy helicopter from Kolkata has also been pressed into service. The minister said continuous search sorties were on in potential areas. “We are using all available resources to search for the missing fishermen with constant coordination between the Navy, Coast Guard, and the Fisheries Department,” he said. He reiterated that the search will continue until the fishermen are brought back safely. The minister said that the government understands the anxiety of the fishermen’s families and hopes for their safe return. Earlier, minister for home and disaster management V Anitha directed officials to intensify search operations for the missing fishermen belonging to Dr B R Ambedkar Konaseema district. Officials informed the minister that the boat met with an accident about 12 nautical miles off the coast. Appanna, one of the eight fishermen, went missing following the accident.