Bhatkal: In a tragic development following the capsizing of a fishing boat off the Tenginagundi coast in Bhatkal, the body of another missing fisherman was recovered on Saturday evening. The deceased has been identified as 27-year-old Ganesh Manjunath Moger, a resident of Shirali Alvekodi.

The body was found in the Arabian Sea about 4 km off the Gangolli coast, approximately 40 km south of Bhatkal. After recovery, it was brought to Mundalli coast by boat and then shifted to the Bhatkal Government Hospital for post-mortem.

Coastal Security Police Sub-Inspector Veena Chitrapur confirmed the recovery and stated that the search operation involved well-known Udupi-based diver Ishwar Malpe. Speaking to SahilOnline, Malpe said that rough sea conditions forced the team to halt the operation after 6 PM. He added that there is suspicion that the remaining two bodies may be nearby, but due to worsening weather, the search could not continue on Saturday.

The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday when six fishermen ventured into the Arabian Sea from Shirali Alvekodi port in Bhatkal. Their boat capsized after being hit by high waves. While two fishermen managed to swim ashore, four others went missing.

The body of one of the missing fishermen, 40-year-old Ramakrishna Moger from Jali Kodi, was found the next day on Thursday, washed ashore near Honnegedde, close to Tenginagundi.

To assist the search efforts, Coastal Security Police deployed drone cameras on Friday and Saturday. However, due to continuous rain and adverse weather, no breakthrough was achieved until Saturday evening, when Ganesh's body was spotted and recovered.

Following the recovery of two out of the four missing fishermen, the search continues for the remaining two — Satish Timappa Moger from Alvekodi and Nishchith Moger from Murdeshwar.