Mangaluru: A 19-year-old fisherman from Andhra Pradesh has gone missing after he fell into the sea from a deep-sea fishing boat off the Mangaluru coast on August 25. A case regarding his disappearance has been registered at the Pandeshwar police station, according to a complaint filed by his father.

The missing fisherman has been identified as Bhaktani Kishore, who had arrived in Mangaluru about a month ago to work in the fishing sector. He was employed on a fishing boat owned by Mohammed Faizal and had been working as part of the crew operating from the Mangaluru fishing harbour.

The incident occurred during a deep-sea fishing trip involving 12 people. According to the complaint, the boat left the Mangaluru fishing harbour at around 3 am on August 23. Two days later, at approximately 5 am on August 25, Kishore fell into the sea after losing his balance when a strong wave hit the boat.

Fisherman fell into sea during fishing trip

According to the report, Kishore was sitting on the edge of the boat with the help of a rope when the incident occurred. He had moved to the side of the vessel to attend to nature’s call.

At the time, a strong sea wave caused him to lose his balance, resulting in his fall into the water. The incident happened while the fishing vessel was operating in the sea after leaving Mangaluru fishing harbour.

The circumstances of the incident highlight the risks faced by fishermen working on deep-sea fishing vessels, particularly during rough sea conditions. Even routine activities on a moving fishing boat can become dangerous when waves are strong and visibility or stability is affected.

Kishore had reportedly been working in the fishing sector in Mangaluru for only about a month before the incident.

Other fishermen alerted after fall

The other fishermen aboard the vessel were informed immediately after Kishore fell into the sea. Fishermen on nearby boats were also alerted about the incident, according to the complaint filed by his father.

Efforts were made to locate Kishore by casting fishing nets into the sea. However, the attempts did not result in his being traced, the report said.

The disappearance has now been formally reported to the police, with the Pandeshwar police station registering a case concerning the incident.

The information available in the report does not provide details of Kishore’s family circumstances beyond the fact that his father filed the complaint. It also does not specify the exact location of the fishing vessel at the time of the incident.

Kishore had come to Mangaluru for work

Kishore, a native of Andhra Pradesh, had travelled to Mangaluru to work in the fishing industry. The coastal city is an important fishing centre in Karnataka, with its harbour serving fishing vessels operating along the Arabian Sea.

For workers who migrate between coastal regions in search of employment, fishing provides an important source of livelihood. However, deep-sea fishing involves several occupational risks, including sudden changes in sea conditions, strong waves and the possibility of people falling overboard.

The incident involving Kishore once again draws attention to the importance of safety precautions for fishing crews working at sea.

Strong waves led to the fall

The complaint states that Kishore lost his balance because of a strong sea wave. The incident occurred in the early morning, around 5 am, when the fishing vessel was at sea.

There is no indication in the report that Kishore was rescued or traced after falling into the water. The fishermen aboard the vessel and those on nearby boats attempted to find him, including by casting nets, but he remained untraced.

The case registered at Pandeshwar police station is expected to document the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

Fishing community awaits information

Kishore’s disappearance has left his family and fellow fishing workers awaiting further information about his whereabouts.

The incident also underlines the dangers associated with deep-sea fishing, where workers spend extended periods away from the shore and can face rapidly changing weather and sea conditions.

Fishing crews routinely work around heavy equipment, ropes and nets while vessels remain in motion. Maintaining safety procedures and ensuring that crew members have appropriate protective equipment can be particularly important during rough conditions.

However, the available report does not provide details about the safety equipment available on the vessel or whether any life-saving equipment was used during the incident.

Police case registered

A case has been registered at Pandeshwar police station following the complaint filed by Kishore’s father. The police case formally records the disappearance of the 19-year-old fisherman after he fell from the fishing vessel.

The report does not provide further details about the sections under which the case was registered or any specific findings from the police investigation.

Kishore’s disappearance occurred on August 25, while the report was published by Daijiworld on September 1. The incident therefore remains a matter of concern as his whereabouts have not been established.

Mangaluru fishing harbour remains central to coastal livelihoods

The incident has occurred against the backdrop of Mangaluru’s long-established fishing industry. The city’s fishing harbour supports a large number of fishing activities and provides livelihoods for fishermen, boat owners, workers involved in fish handling and processing, and others associated with the marine economy.

Many workers involved in the industry travel from different parts of India for employment. Kishore’s case is an example of how the coastal fishing sector connects workers from different States.

At the same time, incidents involving fishermen going missing at sea can be particularly challenging because of the vast area involved and rapidly changing marine conditions.

Safety remains a major concern at sea

The disappearance of Kishore highlights the need for continued attention to safety among deep-sea fishing crews.

Strong waves can create hazardous conditions even when vessels are carrying out routine fishing activities. Crew members working near the edge of a vessel are particularly vulnerable if they lose their balance.

Basic safety measures, awareness of sea conditions and the availability of suitable emergency equipment can play an important role in reducing risks. In the event of a person falling overboard, the speed with which other crew members can respond can also become critical.

For now, Kishore remains missing, and the police case will provide the basis for further investigation into the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

Conclusion

Nineteen-year-old Bhaktani Kishore of Andhra Pradesh went missing after falling into the sea from a deep-sea fishing boat off Mangaluru on August 25. Fellow fishermen and nearby boats attempted to locate him, but he could not be traced. A case has since been registered at Pandeshwar police station following a complaint from his father.