Fishing Harbour ACP Paul said that a few individuals were partying at the port when the first boat caught fire. An investigation is underway.
Published Nov 20, 2023 | 12:00 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 20, 2023 | 2:33 PM
Fishermen attempting to contain the fire at Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour. (X)
A massive fire erupted in the Vizag Fishing Harbour where about 35 boats caught fire and were badly damaged. The incident took place around 11:30 pm on Sunday, 19 November. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
Aside from boat damage — with each of the boats worth around ₹25-50 lakh — no casualties or injuries have been reported so far.
Speaking to South First, Fishing Harbour ACP Moses Paul stated, ”Around 50-60 boats are parked at 0 number jetty. A boat, owned by fisherman Balaji, caught fire around 11:30 pm yesterday, but with the help of some fishermen, it was de-anchored and left at sea. However, due to the tides and winds, it returned and spread the fire to other boats.”
A massive fire engulfed #Vizag Fishing Harbour as 40 boats caught fire. The incident occurred late at night, and the reasons for the fire are yet to be identified. No casualties have been reported, the fire has been brought under control. @TheSouthfirst pic.twitter.com/zhRtLO5x3R
— Bhaskar Basava (@bhaskar_basava_) November 20, 2023
“Since these are fisherman boats, they have some diesel and cylinders on board and these caused the fire to spread more rapidly. However, with the assistance of the National Disaster Response Force and Visakhapatnam Port Trust, the fire has been brought under control,” he added.
“It has been noted that some people were partying in the port at that time. More details and further clarity is awaited as the investigation is ongoing,” he said.
YouTuber Local Boi Nani. (Instagram)
Local YouTuber and fisherman, Local Boi Nani, has been detained by the police in the investigation. He is suspected to have been part of the late-night gathering in the port, along with other local fishermen, after India lost the 2023 ICC World Cup.
Sources from the Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour Police Department told South First that it is still unclear what exactly caused the fire accident. The YouTuber has been taken into custody solely for the purpose of questioning.
The YouTuber has gained some popularity (1.65 million subscibers) on YouTube for his vlogs showcasing fishing and the fishermen’s lifestyle at sea. He also uploaded a video of the fire accident on his YouTube.
Kameshwar Rao, a businessman based out of the Fishing Harbour, informed South First, ‘When I arrived at the scene after receiving information about the fire incident, I observed a group of people partying. However, as time passed, other boats caught fire and it remains uncertain what transpired.”
Rao added, “Some boats, carrying 3,000 litres of diesel, caught fire, while others, loaded with fish stock and scheduled for auction in the wee hours, also ignited. This will impact business for the next 15 days, as the site needs to be cleared for the arrival and sale of other boats.”
Reacting to the mishap, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed shock and ordered an inquiry. The Chief Minister directed Fisheries Minister Dr S Appalaraju to visit the accident site and instructed officials to provide necessary financial support to the fishermen who lost their boats in the mishap.
The Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour, under the control of the Visakhapatnam Port Trust, covers a sprawling 26-hectare area and was inaugurated in 1976. Situated on the east coast of the city, it is recognised as one of the largest fishing harbours in India.
Approximately 800 mechanised boats are in operation along the Visakhapatnam coast.
