Two fishermen killed, one missing, two rescued off Galle

Two fishermen were killed, one was reported missing, and two others have been rescued after their trawler capsized off Galle.

The Sri Lanka Navy said that a distress call was received from a trawler on Thursday from approximately 09 nautical miles (16 km) off the coast of Galle.

The Sri Lanka Navy in coordination with the Air Force, launched an intensive search and rescue operation.

The Navy located and rescued one fisherman from the distressed trawler on Friday with the help of a nearby fishing trawler. The survivor was rushed to the Karapitiya Hospital in Galle for medical attention.

Additionally, a special Navy search and rescue team launched a dedicated operation in the sea area to locate the remaining fishermen who were reported missing. During the search, they discovered a fisherman still alive inside the overturned trawler.

A Navy diving team conducted a challenging rescue mission, supplying the survivor with oxygen using compressed air cylinders while simultaneously stabilizing the vessel to prevent it from sinking. Through the operation which was executed with professional skill and technical precision, the Navy divers successfully rescued the trapped fisherman, the Sri Lanka Navy said in a statement.

The Navy then arranged for his immediate transfer to shore, rushing him to the Karapitiya Hospital in Galle for urgent medical care on Friday evening.

The Navy said that the bodies of two other crew members of the trawler were recovered and brought ashore. A Navy rescue team remains deployed in the sea area to locate the remaining missing fisherman.