2 fishermen missing since their vessel collided with Navy submarine found dead a week later

According to sources, the submarine was in transit at periscope-level depth at the time of the incident and was not fully submerged nor fully surfaced.

Eleven of the 13 crew aboard the fishing vessel were rescued on the same day by the Navy, but two of the crew remained missing. (Representational Image/PTI)

The bodies of two fishermen, who went missing a week ago after their boat collided with a Navy submarine about 70 nautical miles off Goa’s coast, were recovered Thursday during a joint operation by the Navy and ONGC.

The fishing boat, ‘Marthoma’, from Kerala had sunk after colliding with a Scorpene-class Navy submarine off the Konkan coast, between Goa and Karwar, on November 21. Eleven of the 13 crew aboard the fishing vessel were rescued on the same day by the Navy, but two of the crew remained missing. The Navy had subsequently launched a coordinated search and rescue operation to trace them.

In a statement, a Navy spokesperson said the Navy and Coast Guard jointly undertook a week-long search effort, which helped localise the fishing boat’s wreckage at the bottom of the sea.

“The mortal remains of the two crew were recovered from the vicinity of the wreckage with the assistance of ONGC and are now being handed over to the authorities,” the spokesperson said.

According to sources, the submarine was in transit at periscope-level depth at the time of the incident. “It was not fully submerged nor fully surfaced. The fishing trawler collided with the submarine. There was no major damage to the submarine, which continued its transit. The cause of the incident is being investigated,” a source said.

Pavneet Singh Chadha

Pavneet Singh Chadha is the Goa Correspondent of The Indian Express. His reporting focuses intensely on the state of Goa, covering major developments in politics, governance, and significant local events, which establishes his high degree of Expertise and Authority in the region. Expertise Geographic Expertise: As the Goa correspondent, Pavneet provides on-the-ground, comprehensive coverage of Goa's political, social, and cultural landscape, ensuring readers receive timely and localized insights. Key Coverage Focus: His recent work demonstrates deep investigative capabilities and a focus on high-impact stories, including: Investigative Reporting: Extensive coverage of complex events such as major incidents (e.g., the Goa nightclub fire), tracing the legal, political, and safety lapses involved. Government and Law Enforcement: Detailed tracking of police actions, deportations, and legal proceedings related to significant local cases. Policy and Governance: Reporting on the judiciary (e.g., Goa High Court flagging illegal structures) and the actions of government departments. He tweets @pub_neat ... Read More

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