Tragedy struck along the coastal communities of Sulima, Begbegun, Delken, and Manis in the Bonthe and Pujehun Districts as multiple sea accidents claimed the lives of at least one fisherman, with several others reported missing.
In a press release dated 16 August 2024, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources stated that a group of fishermen embarked on a fishing expedition last week when they encountered severe storms that led to catastrophic accidents at sea.
Local residents from the affected fishing communities confirmed that one fisherman was successfully rescued, while the search continues for the others who remain unaccounted for.
A joint Search and Rescue Operation has been launched by the Ministry in collaboration with the Maritime Administration and other partners.
Rescue teams have been scouring the coastal areas in hopes of finding survivors or recovering the bodies of those lost at sea.
In addition to the incidents in Bonthe and Pujehun Districts, unconfirmed reports have emerged about the sudden deaths of two other fishermen from York Village in the Western Area Rural District.
The Ministry has acknowledged these reports and has initiated an investigation to verify the details surrounding these incidents.
The Ministry urged all fishermen across the country to exercise caution during this season of unpredictable weather.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has pledged to continue monitoring the situation closely and provide necessary support to the affected families.
