Update: Five dead after fishermen consume unknown substance at sea

30 June 2024 11:51 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 8

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Colombo, June 30 (Daily Mirror) - The death toll in an incident where Sri Lankan fishermen consumed an unknown substance found in a bottle floating in the sea has risen to five, the Sri Lanka Navy said.

Navy Spokesman Captain Gayan Wickramasuriya said that a crew of six fishermen from the Tangalle Fisheries Harbour fell critically ill after consuming a liquid from a bottle they found approximately 320 nautical miles (592.64 kilometers) off the coast of Sri Lanka during a multi-day fishing voyage.

He said that five out of the six-member crew had died, while another remain in critical condition after consuming what they believed to be alcohol from the bottle.

In response to the urgent situation, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources requested assistance from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) Colombo at Navy Headquarters on Saturday afternoon (29 June 2024). Subsequently, the Navy has dispatched SLNS Vijayabahu, along with a medical team, to the designated sea area to provide necessary medical aid and facilitate the safe return of the remaining fishermen to shore.

Captain Wickramasuriya said that the critically ill fisherman had been evacuated to the Singaporean merchant vessel ‘MV Kota Camil' where he is currently receiving emergency treatment.

He said steps are being taken for the Singaporean vessel to transfer these fishermen to SLNS Vijayabahu at sea.

Comments - 8

Sakya Sunday, 30 June 2024 01:20 PM

Pathetic paying with their lives whilst involving in their occupation Alcoholic addiction is widespread among the working class Mostly addicted and overlook everything else when it comes to consuming intoxicants. The very reason their productivity is in very low condition. All six had the free liquor then how can they catch fish for that they venture out to sea.

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Fernando Sunday, 30 June 2024 03:14 PM

No medicine has found so far, for such stupidity.

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Tissa Fernando Sunday, 30 June 2024 03:17 PM

Yes but they have all the money for alcohol and drugs but no money for food .

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Rip Winkle Sunday, 30 June 2024 01:27 PM

Why are people so stupid? And why the greed to consume alcohol???

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Smh Sunday, 30 June 2024 02:45 PM

So sad for their families. Were they alcoholics that they could not resist this random floating bottle?

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Danny Sunday, 30 June 2024 02:46 PM

Pathetically stupidness! Poor thing!!

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VERY SAD AND UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT. MAY THEIR SOULS rip Sunday, 30 June 2024 02:47 PM

Why would anyone, especially at sea consume anything in a bottle that they cannot identify, the bottle with contents should have been brought to shore and handed in for further examination. WE NEED TO EDUCATE OUR FINSHERMEN AND ALL WHO GO OUT TO SEE AROUND THE SEA COAST, EXPECIALLY AREAS WHERE THEY HAVE NO PROPER EXCESS TO EDUCATION FROM A YOUNG AGE.

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MAWANSA Monday, 01 July 2024 12:18 PM

SLPP/RAJAPAKSAS are going to give chicken biriyani and bottle of arrack as bribe to get your vote all from your money robbed earlier DO NOT DRINK THE ALCOHOL

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