Probe ordered in Kerala marine hit-and-run accident

The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) Thursday ordered an inquiry into the hit-and-run incident off Kerala’s Quilon in which a fishing vessel was sunk, leaving two fishermen killed, two injured and three missing, an official said.

The DGS has directed the principal officer of mercantile marine department, Kochi, to conduct the preliminary inquiry into the incident, which occurred on the high seas off the southwest coast of India.

Similarly, the Coast Guard is investigating relevant records to identify the probable vessel involved in the hint-and-run case, the official said.

The accident involving the fishing vessel Don-1, with seven fishermen aboard, occurred around 1 a.m. Thursday morning off Manakodam light house, 20 nautical miles off Kochi harbour entrance.

The Coast Guard has launched a search mission for the three missing fishermen while its aircraft is also carrying out a search operation.

The fishing vessel had left from Kollam for deep sea fishing with seven fishermen aboard last Sunday.