Rescue operations are underway to find five people who went missing after their boat capsized yesterday night in Siththaru, Trincomalee, Navy spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya said.

“The boat was on a mission to rescue a group of 16 marooned civilians consisting three sailors and four soldiers. On their way to a nearby IDPs camp the boat had capsized. The navy rescued 12 persons immediately after the incident”, he said.

There were two children under the age of six, a sailor, a woman and a male among the missing persons, Commander Warnakulasuriya said. (Supun Dias)