Fisherman drowns off Anakapalli coast; search on for six missing off Visakhapatnam

A fisherman drowned off the Revu Polavaram coast in Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh on Monday (July 6, 2026) after two of a four-member crew fell into rough seas during a fishing trip. The deceased was identified as Chodipalli Simhadri, of Revu Polavaram fishing village.

Fishermen’s leaders, among them Arjilli Dasu, said four fishermen had gone to sea for the day’s catch when two of them were caught in a rope and fell overboard into turbulent waters. Simhadri drowned; the other man reached the shore, and the two who stayed on the boat returned unhurt.

Simhadri’s body washed ashore at Bangaramma Palem beach on Monday morning. He was the sole earner for his family, his leaders said, and is survived by his wife and three children, two daughters and a son.

Representatives of the local fishermen’s unions have asked the district administration and the State government to give the family immediate ex-gratia and financial help.

Six missing off Visakhapatnam

Off the Visakhapatnam coast, six fishermen went missing on the same day after their boat is suspected to have capsized in rough weather. One of the seven aboard was rescued by a passing cruise ship, and the Indian Coast Guard and Marine Police are searching for the rest, a fishing association leader said on Sunday (July 5, 2026).

The seven had set out on July 1 and had told their families they would return by 2 p.m. on July 4. When their mobile phones were found switched off, the families alerted the Coast Guard and Marine Police. Vizag Fishing Boats Association president Lakshman Rao said the boat lost contact while returning after the catch, and is suspected to have capsized in strong winds. About 400 boats had gone out, several of them hit by strong winds as the monsoon set in, he said.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the search and directed officials to deploy more Coast Guard vessels; Navy helicopters have since joined the operation. He asked the Marine and Visakhapatnam police to coordinate the search at sea and to keep him updated.