Update: Five dead after fishermen consume unknown substance at sea

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.