One fisherman's body recovered; fate of seven others unknown

Mangalore, May 29 (UNI) The body of one of the eight fishermen, who had been reported missing after venturing into the sea from Malpe in Udupi district, was recovered today, while about 400 fishing boats were stranded in the waters as the sea was rough following incessant rain in the coastal areas of Karnataka.

Medical Education Minister V S Acharya told UNI that the body was recovered at Kodikanyana near Kundapura in Udupi district. Efforts were on to trace the other seven missing persons, who had set sail in four boats yesterday, he added.

Announcing Rs one lakh ex-gratia to next of kin of the deceased, he said it had been decided to station a rescue ship permanently at Malpe Fisheries harbour for rescue operations.

The Coast Guard helicopter, which was pressed into service to trace the fishermen, had returned.

Earlier, Fisheries Minister B Nagaraj Shetty and Dr Acharya told reporters here that their boats were found in the sea near the Malpe Fisheries Port, early today.

They said the Coast Guard personnel from Karwar and New Mangalore Port had been summoned to trace the missing fishermen and help the stranded boats reach the shores.

Mr Shetty said X X X (Eds: Here, pick up from line one, para four of MS 16 WEATHER-KARNATAKA-FISHERMEN-MISSING) UNI MA GD PK PM1720