Hans News Service Visakhapatnam

Thedistrict administration has intensified its search and rescue operations for a 45-year-old fisherman who went missing after accidentally falling into the sea off the Visakhapatnam coast on Wednesday.

According to officials, the fishing boat carrying a crew of eight had set out from Visakhapatnam on August 16 and was returning to the coast on August 20 when the incident occurred around 12.15 pm.

Appanna, a fisherman from Peda Jalaripeta, reportedly slipped into the sea about 11 nautical miles off the Visakhapatnam coast and was swept away.

The rest of the seven fishermen managed to reach the Visakhapatnam coast safely and alerted the authorities about the incident.

Acting swiftly on the information, a search and rescue (SAR) operation was launched on the directions of District Collector M Abhishikth Kishore. A boat from the Coast Guard and a private boat were deployed to search for and trace the missing fisherman.

Visakhapatnam Revenue Divisional Officer Dileep Chakravarthy is closely monitoring the search and rescue efforts and reviewing the operations periodically. Officials and rescue teams are continuing their efforts to trace Appanna and bring him back safely.