Mumbai: Tragedy Strikes at Sea: Two Fishermen Dead, Four Unconscious Due to Toxic Fumes on Fishing Boat
Mumbai, 27th December 2023: In a tragic incident near Bhaucha Dhakka at the New Fish Jetty, two fishermen lost their lives, and four others fell unconscious due to the overpowering stench of decaying fish in the storage chamber of the fishing boat Anjani Putra IND-MH-7-MM-1664.
Details provided by the Yellow Gate Police Station reveal that the fishermen, who had embarked on a fishing expedition 12 days prior, returned to shore at 2 am on Tuesday. The fish caught during this period was stored in the chamber, creating an unfortunate situation.
Workers from Solapur Street in Danabandar went to the chamber at 11 am to unload the fish from the boat. Two individuals, 34-year-old Seena Yadav and 28-year-old N Rangaswamy, entered the storage chamber and encountered difficulty breathing, ultimately collapsing. Despite being rushed to JJ Hospital, doctors declared them dead.
The tragedy unfolded as others attempted to rescue the initial victims. DCP Sanjay Latkar of the Port Zone mentioned that those entering the chamber to aid the first two individuals were also exposed to poisonous gases, leaving them in critical condition.
An unidentified fisherman disclosed that after catching fish, they are typically stored covered with ice in a chamber on the boat to preserve freshness. However, improper covering can lead to the decomposition of offal and small fish, resulting in the release of harmful gases.
Mumbai Police has registered the incident as an accidental death and initiated an investigation. DCP Sanjay Latkar stated that preliminary findings suggest the fish had been stored for an extended period, leading to the formation of toxic gases due to decay. Further investigations are underway.
The additional injured individuals have been identified as Suresh Mekla, Pampapati Yadav, Guruswami Yadav, and Suresh Yadav. Vajamma, the cousin of the injured Mekla, expressed concern, mentioning that Rangaswami’s pregnant wife, hailing from their native place, is now left to care for their two small children. Similarly, Seena Yadav, who also lost his life, leaves behind two children.
