TRIVANDRUM(India), March2 2012: A fortnight after two Indian fishermen were shot dead by Italian marines, an unidentified ship rammed into the fishing boat that provided vital details about the Italian merchant vessel, killing two fishermen on Thursday.While two fishermen were rescued three others are reported missing. The incident occurred at about 3am 15 miles off the Aleppey coast, which is close to the area where the Italian shooting mishap took place. A massive search for the missing fishermen as well as the ship has been launched by the navy, coast guard and marine enforcement. Local fishermen are also engaged in the search operation. A defence Press release said that four ships and a Dornier aircraft have been deployed to trace the unknown merchant ship. INS Sarvekshak from Southern Naval Command and ICGS Savitribai Phule, which were at sea have been diverted to the area while Coast Guard Interceptor Boats — C 144 from Cochin and C 143 from Vizhinjam also sailed out to step up search and rescue efforts. The dead, included Francis Justin, who had helped the coast guard officials identify the Italian vessel, Enrica Lexie, which had sped away after shooting dead the two fishermen 12 miles off Aleppey coast on February 15. The other deceased has been identified as Xavier. The fishing boat involved in the accident on Thursday had gone for fishing from Neendakara fishing harbour in Quilon district on Sunday with seven fishermen aboard. All the fishermen belonged to Quilon. A rescued fisherman said the boat named Dawn II was anchored at sea when the oil tanker collided with the boat. The fisherman, Michael, who reached ashore without any serious injuries, told reporters that their boat was hit by the ship despite the fishermen giving it sufficient signals. “The incident happened around 1am when it was quite dark in the sea. The oil tanker was ill lit at that time. The boat overturned as soon it was hit by the ship. We escaped as we were able to remain afloat for half an hour,” Michael said. “I could not see the ship as it was totally dark. I was told by others that the ship appeared to be a big one and was a cargo freighter. Everything happened in few minutes and we were thrown away”, he added. He said that when he managed to swim in the waters, Xavier held on to his hands for some time. Later he could not be located. “I feel sorry I could not save him”. Quilon District Collector P G Thomas said that the deceased were “brought dead” to the harbour. The bodies have been taken to the Aleppey Medical College Hospital for post-mortem.
The tragedy coming a fortnight after the shooting incident has raised feeling of insecurity among the fisher folk. The federal shipping ministry has ordered an inquiry into the incident. The marine mercantile department has been asked to conduct the inquiry by the director-general of shipping. The Ambalappuzha police have registered a case against the ship for carelessness. Expressing grief over the incident, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Labour Minister Shibhu Baby John said that the government will take steps to ensure the safety of fishermen going to the sea in the light of the two recent incidents.
