Three Sri Lankan fishermen missing as trawler collides with ship off Galle

Three Sri Lankan fishermen are reported missing after a local fishing trawler collided with a passing ship in the early hours of this morning (03), causing it to capsize.

The local fishing trawler ‘Nihathamani 01’ carrying 07 fishermen has departed from Galle fisheries harbour on 25 August 2024 for a fishing voyage, Sri Lanka Navy said.

However, the trawler had tragically capsized after colliding with a passing ship this morning, according to the Navy.

Three fishermen onboard the capsized fishing trawler went missing, while 04 others were rescued by the fishing trawler ‘Lasantha 01’. The rescued fishermen are being brought ashore, the navy said.

Meanwhile, one of the rescued fishermen is reportedly in critical condition, the navy said, adding that the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) has notified the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) Colombo at Navy Headquarters for immediate assistance.

In response, the Navy has dispatched SLNS Gajabahu to retrieve the fishermen being brought by the fishing trawler ‘Lasantha 01’, at the directives of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera.

Meanwhile, the Merchant Shipping Secretariat, with the assistance of MRCC Colombo, is coordinating efforts to identify the foreign ship responsible for capsizing the Nihathamani 01 fishing trawler and pursue legal action against it, the navy added.