Navy rescues 55 suspected illegal migrants in off Hambantota

Sri Lanka Navy has rescued 55 individuals aboard a distressed local multiday fishing trawler, caught up in a cyclone on high seas about 390 nautical miles (722km) southeast of Hambantota.

The group of people, suspected to be on an illegal migration attempt to a foreign country, were in a desperate situation when they were rescued on Sunday (July 10), said the navy.

Last Friday (July 08), the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources had alerted the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo established at the Navy Headquarters that a distressed multi-day fishing trawler was adrift in high seas southeast of Hambantota and requested assistance.

During the inspection, it was observed that the multi-day fishing trawler was drifting very hazardously in rough sea condition and rescued the desperate group of people aboard, who are suspected to be on an illegal migration attempt to a foreign country, the navy added On further inspection, it was observed that the fishing trawler had caught in a cyclone and it was at risk of sinking, as flooding of sea water with damages to the vessel’s hull.

It was further observed that several people of the group were in a critical state without food and water, having been stranded in high seas for several days, when rescued.