Kendrapara: Five fishermen had a providential escape when the boat they were ferrying overturned in the mid sea was hit by a fishing trawler.
The five fishermen were catching fish near Madali mouth just six nautical miles away from Hukitola within Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary limits late Saturday night when the mishap took place.
The boat was damaged severely in the accident and the fishermen who jumped into the sea were rescued by other fishermen, according Subrat Kumar Patra, the ranger of Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary. The damaged fishing boat was towed to Kharnashi fishing jetty this morning.
According to the fishermen of Mahakalapada blocks, the small fishing boats and gillnetters have been facing the wrath of Balaramgadi-based trawlers, operating in Hukitola area within Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary for catching fish. PNN
