Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Kerala CM rejects Opposition lapses allegations in missing fishermen search
Some fishermen in Kerala, a state in India, went out on boats and did not come back.
Their boats had accidents off the coast near Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram.
The state government and opposition parties started arguing about the search.
The opposition said the government was too slow to begin a full search.
The Chief Minister said his government searched without stopping for nine days.
He said that even when many more people went missing before, no one searched that long.
He also said families used to wait seven years for money if a fisherman went missing, but things have changed.
A BJP leader said he helped get the Navy and Coast Guard involved quickly.
Everyone is hoping the fishermen will be found safe.
Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan dismissed opposition allegations of lapses in the search for three fishermen missing after boat mishaps in Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram.
Satheesan said continuous search operations have been carried out for the past nine days with Central government assistance, calling it unprecedented in the state's history.
CPI(M), CPI and BJP leaders had alleged a delay in launching a full-scale search after the fishermen went missing on July 31.
Satheesan said 148 people went missing during the previous LDF government's tenure and that fishermen's families previously had to wait seven years for compensation.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar said he spoke to the defence minister and the PMO, after which the Coast Guard and Navy were fully mobilised and have been searching for nine to ten days.
- Who
- Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, CPI(M)/CPI/BJP opposition leaders, and three missing fishermen and their families.
- What
- Satheesan rejected opposition allegations of lapses in the nine-day search for three fishermen missing after separate boat mishaps, highlighting what he called unprecedented Central government assistance.
- When
- On August 9, responding to criticism over fishermen who went missing on July 31.
- Where
- Off Neendakara in Kollam and Vizhinjam and Muthalappozhi in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala; Satheesan spoke at an event in Kochi.
- Why
- Opposition parties alleged a delay in launching a full-scale search, prompting the Chief Minister to defend the government's response.
Government's position
Opposition's position
Timing of the search operation
Government's position
The government conducted a continuous search for nine days with Central assistance, an unprecedented move, and there were no lapses.
Opposition's position
CPI(M), CPI and BJP leaders alleged a delay in launching a full-scale search operation after the fishermen went missing.
Securing central assistance
Government's position
Satheesan described the nine-day search with Central government assistance as unprecedented in the state's history.
Opposition's position
Rajeev Chandrasekhar said a state minister sought his support and that he immediately spoke to the defence minister and the PMO, from which point the Coast Guard and Navy were fully mobilised.
- Missing fishermen
- 3
- Date of boat mishaps
- July 31
- Districts affected
- Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram
- Search locations
- Neendakara, Vizhinjam, Muthalappozhi
- Search duration
- 9 days (Chandrasekhar cited 9-10 days)
- People missing during previous LDF tenure
- 148
- Agencies mobilised
- Coast Guard and Navy
- Central assistance
- Contacted via defence minister and PMO