Three fishermen rescued, one missing after fibre boat capsizes off Kodiyakarai coast

A 44-year-old fisherman drowned in the sea and three others from Nagapattinam district were rescued after their fibre boat capsized a few nautical miles off the Kodiyakarai coast after they set out for fishing on Monday (May 25, 2026) afternoon. 

The body of the fisherman, identified as K. Anbuselvan of Kodiyakarai who was initially reported missing, was found washed ashore near Munankadu in the district on Tuesday (May 26) morning. The rescued fishermen are: M. Selvaganapathi (30), P. Pothuvudaichelvan (27), and V. Kumar (40) – all from Kodiyakadu in Nagapattinam district. 

The four fishermen put out to sea from Kodiyakarai and were expected to return by 6 a.m. on Tuesday. They, however, did not return as scheduled and their fishing net was found washed ashore at Kodiyakadu coast. 

Police sources said a search was launched and the fibre boat was found capsized a few nautical miles off Kodiyakarai. Three fishermen who were holding on to the overturned boat were rescued by Kodiyakarai fishermen. They were brought to the shore on Tuesday morning and taken to the Vedaranyam Government Hospital.

The other fisherman, Anbuselvan, was reported missing initially. His body was found washed ashore at around 11.50 am on Tuesday near Munankadu. The body was sent to the Government Medical College Hospital in Nagapattinam for autopsy, the sources added.