3 weeks ago
Kerala CM Promises Safety SOP Amid Protests Over Missing Fishermen
Three fishermen went missing after their fishing boats tipped over in a very bad storm.
The accident happened on July 31, 2026, near the coast of Kerala, a state in southern India.
One of the missing men is named Gautam Krishna, and his father and grandfather sadly died in the same accident.
People in the fishing villages were very sad and also very angry.
They said helpers did not arrive quickly enough when the boats tipped over.
One mother even sat outside a police station to ask for more help with the search.
The leader of Kerala, Chief Minister Satheesan, visited the families to comfort them.
He promised to make new safety rules to protect people who live near the sea.
Many helpers, including the Indian Navy, are still searching for the missing fishermen.
Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan announced a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for coastal community safety after local protests.
Three fishermen — Gautam Krishna (26), John Mathias (54) and Shijin (32) — have been untraceable for 11 days since their boats capsized on July 31.
The multi-agency search involves the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Coastal Police, Marine Enforcement and the Fisheries Department, with no sign of the missing men.
Families allege rescue agencies were unresponsive in the critical initial hours, citing a marine ambulance that ran out of fuel and poor coordination, and demanded the search be extended to the Tamil Nadu coast.
Gautam Krishna's father and grandfather died in the same accident, and the body of Shijin's co-worker Sreemon was recovered the day after the incident.
- Who
- Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, Fisheries Minister V.E. Abdul Gafoor and Forest Minister Shibu Baby John; the families of the missing fishermen; and multi-agency rescue teams including the Indian Navy.
- What
- The government promised a new SOP on coastal community safety, while the search continued for three fishermen missing for 11 days after their fishing boats capsized.
- Where
- The Kerala coast, including Neendakara Harbour in Kollam and the Vizhinjam and Muthalapozhi coasts in Thiruvananthapuram.
- When
- Announced on Monday, 11 days after the boating accidents of July 31, 2026.
- Why
- Severe monsoon weather capsized the boats, and the SOP and ministerial visits followed intense local protests over alleged government apathy and a slow rescue response.
Fishermen's Families
Kerala Government
Rescue response
Fishermen's Families
Families allege rescue agencies were unresponsive during the critical initial hours and that resources arrived too late, citing a marine ambulance running out of fuel and a serious lack of coordination among state agencies.
Kerala Government
Chief Minister Satheesan rejected allegations of negligence and maintained that all available state resources were being fully coordinated in the active search for the missing men.
Ministerial visits
Fishermen's Families
Families expressed deep dissatisfaction with the government's response, criticized the Fisheries Minister for waiting 10 days to visit, and demanded a public apology from the Chief Minister; Mathias's daughter Jiji said she faced severe cyberattacks for making the demand.
Kerala Government
The Chief Minister defended his delayed visit by citing the hostile protests faced by former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan after Cyclone Ockhi in 2017, and pledged maximum financial and structural support to all affected families.
Key facts
- Chief Minister
- V.D. Satheesan
- Missing fishermen
- Gautam Krishna (26), John Mathias (54), Shijin (32)
- Date of boating accidents
- July 31, 2026
- Search day
- 11th day
- Locations
- Neendakara Harbour (Kollam); Vizhinjam and Muthalapozhi (Thiruvananthapuram)
- Navy vessel deployed
- INS Kalpeni with a specialised scuba-diving team
- Recovered body
- Sreemon, Shijin's co-worker
- Key announcement
- New SOP on coastal community safety
Sources
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