Search operation fails to trace missing fisher from Kerala’s Neendakara

Reshma, mother of Gautam who went missing at sea. | Photo Credit: (File photo) C. SURESHKUMAR The search operations conducted on Sunday to locate Gautam Krishnan, the fisher who went missing after a boat capsized off Neendakara, ended without success.A comprehensive search was carried out utilising a Navy ship, a team of divers, and a helicopter. Additionally, two boats from the Marine Enforcement and one boat from the Coastal Police joined the effort. The rescue teams surveyed various zones from morning till evening, including specific areas requested by Gautam’s relatives, while drone surveillance was also deployed earlier in the search.​Although initial search operations were led by the Coastal Police and Marine Enforcement on the day of the incident and the following days, the missing man’s family had expressed dissatisfaction. An intensified search was launched following complaints from Gautam’s mother, Reshma, and other relatives, who alleged that the initial efforts were inefficient. As part of the expanded operations, searches were extended to the backwaters as well. Rough sea conditions on the day of the accident and subsequent days significantly hampered the rescue operations, though authorities have stated that the search will continue on Monday.​The tragedy has already claimed the lives of Reshma’s father, Rajeevan, and her husband, Radhakrishnan, who both drowned when the boat capsized. Published - August 09, 2026 10:04 pm IST