The bodies of three fishermen who went missing after their boat capsized near Khandaeri Fort off the Alibag coast on Saturday have been recovered on Monday morning, confirmed the police.
The deceased have been identified as Naresh Ram Shelar (36) from Apte, Dheeraj Kashinath Koli (35) from Kasavala Pada, Karanja, and Mukesh Yashwant Patil (35) from Apte, Panvel. Their bodies were found on Sunday morning at different coastal locations Sasawane Beach (10:45 a.m.), Dighodi Beach (11:00 a.m.), and Kamat Beach (11:05 a.m.), respectively. Post-mortem examinations were conducted and the bodies were handed over to their families.
Boat Overturned Due to Rough Sea Conditions
The men were part of a group of eight fishermen from Karanja in Uran who had ventured out to sea aboard a boat named Tuljai, owned by Manohar Ganpat Koli of Uran-Karanja. The boat capsized around 8:30 a.m. on Saturday between Korlai and Khandaeri Forts due to rough sea conditions and strong waves.
Fishing Trip Violated Monsoon Ban
Despite a monsoon fishing ban imposed by the Fisheries Department until August 31, the group had gone out illegally for fishing, according to an officer from the Uran police station. The boat had departed from Karanja port around 7:00 a.m. before meeting with the accident.
Five Rescued with Minor Injuries
Five of the fishermen managed to swim to safety and were rescued by locals. They have been identified as Hemant Baliram Gawand (45) from Avare, Uran; Sandeep Tukaram Koli (38) and Roshan Bhagwan Koli (39), both from Karanja; and Shankar Hira Bhoir (64) and Krishna Ram Bhoir (55), both from Apata, Panvel. All five were admitted to Alibag Civil Hospital with minor injuries.
Search Operation Involved Police, Drones, and Authorities
Following the accident, a large-scale search operation was launched by the Raigad police, Fisheries Department, and local authorities. Drones were deployed to aid the search, particularly along the shoreline. Assistant Police Inspector Somnath Lande of Mandwa police station stated that the three missing men were believed to be inside the cabin of the boat when it overturned, roughly six nautical miles from the shore. "We have registered an accidental death report and would submit a report to Fisheries department. The further action would be taken by them," Lande said.
