UPDATE: (1.41 p.m.) - Two individuals have died and another 02 persons are reported missing while another 23 were rescued after a boat capsized today (6) in Gurunagar Jetty in Jaffna, police said.
Investigations revealed that the group involved in the accident was travelling in a trawler from the Gurunagar Jetty to attend a feast at a church located on Palaitivu Island.
The boat had reportedly capsized approximately 50 metres into the journey, causing the passengers to fall into the water, police said.
Preliminary reports indicate that there were around 25 individuals on board at the time of the incident. While 23 people were rescued and brought ashore, 13 of them were admitted to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital for treatment.
However, two individuals who were receiving medical attention have passed away, police said.
Local residents, the Sri Lanka Navy, and the Police collaborated in the rescue operation.
Police have confirmed that two individuals remain missing, and a search operation has been launched by the Navy’s diving teams to locate them.
Jaffna Police have initiated further investigations into the incident.
