Muthalapozhi search: INS Kalpeni arrives as missing fisherman remains untraced for 10 days

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ten days have passed since Shijin, a native of Anchuthengu, went missing after a fishing boat capsized at Muthalapozhi. He has still not been found. The Indian Navy ship INS Kalpeni reached Muthalapozhi by Sunday evening to join the search operation and anchored offshore, facing the estuary. The Navy's scuba team will begin the search this morning. The team will mainly search the extended section of the breakwater and the curved section of the estuary.

A professional scuba team from Vizhinjam had been conducting searches since yesterday morning. The team searched between gaps in the breakwater and among tetrapods and fishing nets lying in the estuary. As the sea was calmer than on previous days, the scuba team was able to search for a longer period.

The Coast Guard's Dornier aircraft and helicopter also conducted surveillance flights in the area. The Marine Enforcement team, Coastal Police and local fishermen also took part in the joint search operation. The search was called off by evening yesterday. The Navy-led operation will be the main focus today.

Collector visits Muthalapozhi

District Collector Anukumari said the current was flowing towards the south and that she had spoken to the Kanyakumari Collector. Information was also shared with police stations in southern Tamil Nadu. The Navy's scuba team will begin the search this morning. The Collector also visited the families of Freemon, who died in the Muthalapozhi accident, and Shijin, who remains missing.

She told Shijin's family that the government was considering specialised treatment for his child, who has a heart condition. She also assured them that all possible resources would be deployed for the search operation. MLA Ramya Haridas and Fisheries Deputy Director Sheeja Mary also accompanied the Collector during the visit.