Sri Lankan fishermen die after consuming unknown liquid at sea

Four Sri Lankan fishers have died, and another two are critically sick after drinking an unknown drink from bottles they found while at sea, according to local media news.

Fatal Fishing Trip

Four Sri Lankan fishermen have died, and another two are critically ill after consuming an unknown liquid from bottles they found while at sea, according to local media reports.

The fishermen were on a trip about 320 nautical miles from Tangalle, a southern coastal town in Sri Lanka, when they discovered the bottles.

Mistaken Identity

The Sri Lanka Navy reported that the fishermen drank from the bottles, mistaking the contents for alcohol. The Director General of the Sri Lankan Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Susantha Kahawatte, stated that the navy is attempting to bring the affected fishermen back to shore.

Medical Assistance at Sea

Mr. Kahawatte mentioned that the navy is providing medical attention to the men aboard the fishing vessel, named the Devon, due to concerns that there might not be enough time to return them to land for proper treatment.

Also read: Dua Lipa’s spectacular headline debut at Glastonbury

The BBC has reached out to Mr. Kahawatte and the Sri Lanka Navy for further confirmation and comments.

Wider Risk

The situation is further complicated as Mr. Kahawatte told national news station Ada Derana that the fishermen had distributed some of the bottles to other crews in the area. Efforts are being made to notify these crews about the potential danger.

Return to Shore

Local media reported that the Devon is being towed back to shore by another vessel. The fishing boat had set off from Tangalle on June 4.

The incident has led to protests in Tangalle, which is about 120 miles (193 km) from the capital, Colombo, with locals demanding that the surviving sailors be returned to land immediately.

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities are now investigating the contents of the bottles to determine the cause of the tragedy. The incident highlights the dangers fishermen face and the urgent need for safety measures when dealing with unknown substances found at sea.