Vishakhapatnam arbor Tragedy: 25 fishing boats incinerated, Navy mobilized for urgent intervention

Late last night, a devastating fire engulfed Vishakhapatnam’s harbor, reducing at least 25 fishing boats to ashes. Despite the efforts of multiple fire engines, the blaze became uncontrollable, prompting the intervention of an Indian Navy vessel.

The estimated loss from this tragic incident is staggering, reaching the range of ₹4-5 crores, with each fishing boat costing nearly 15 lakh. Vishakhapatnam Police Commissioner Ravi Shankar revealed that the fire originated on a fishing boat, which was initially detached to prevent the flames from spreading. Unfortunately, wind and water flow brought it back to the jetty, leading to the destruction of other boats.

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The perilous situation was exacerbated by diesel containers and gas cylinders on the boats, intensifying the inferno across the entire jetty area. Fishermen suspect foul play, raising suspicions of deliberate arson by criminals or a fire triggered during a party on one of the boats.

Shocking visuals from the harbor depict firefighters battling the flames while distressed fishermen witness their livelihoods being consumed by fire. The situation escalated with explosions in some boats, likely caused by the fire reaching fuel tanks, inducing panic in the area.

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Senior police officer Ananda Reddy reported that the fire broke out around 11:30 pm. As cylinders on the boats posed an ongoing threat, authorities urged people to stay away from the area. Despite the chaos, no casualties were reported, and a case has been filed, with investigations underway.

In response to the incident, Police Commissioner Ravi Shankar announced a multidisciplinary probe, involving port, fisheries, and police authorities affiliated with the Vizag Port Trust. This comprehensive investigation aims to uncover the root cause of the fire and address the concerns of the affected community.