Mangaluru : The rescue operations are still on to trace the missing people from the Tug boat which capsized in the sea. Out of the eight people, three have reached the shore while two have died. The district administrations are trying its best to rescue the missing, said Revenue Minister R Ashoka.

The India Meteorological Department had issued a warning related to Cyclone Tauktae on May 13. Consequently, the district administration alerted everyone including the MRPL. Though the warning was issued to the tug boat, for various reasons, one tug boat (Alliance) didn’t return. They started returning from May 15 and by then telecommunication lines were snapped. The returnees are now being treated in a hospital. “Heavy winds and tides are coming in the way of rescue operations. If the weather permits, we are planning to launch the rescue operations via helicopter. Our aim is to now rescue the missing people at the earliest”, Mr Ashoka said. The State Government is reaching out to the naval choppers for the rescue mission. Most likely, a chopper is likely to come from Goa.

Meanwhile, a Coromandel tug with nine people is struck near the Mulki rocks. The State Government has reached out to the Indian Coast Guard for the rescue of the vessel. As per the information available, all the nine survivors have worn life jackets on and have stocked the essential groceries, said Mr Ashoka adding that the meetings are being conducted on the rescue mission. “Starting from Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, Revenue Department, we are constantly in touch on the rescue mission. Currently, we are ascertaining facts as to why they didn’t return despite warnings. However, our first priority is to rescue the stranded sailors”, added Mr Ashoka.