Daijiworld Media Network - Canacona

Canacona, Dec 17: A Goan fishing canoe with four fishermen on board, which went missing on Monday, was located off the Karwar coast and safely brought back to the Talpona fishing jetty on Tuesday evening, officials said.

According to preliminary information, the canoe had drifted into deeper waters due to strong winds and later ran out of fuel. Following the alert, the Indian Coast Guard and the Goa coastal police launched a coordinated search operation and traced the vessel on Tuesday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, news of the missing canoe had triggered anxiety and anger among residents of Talpona village, with villagers alleging initial inaction by the authorities. The situation escalated when agitated locals blocked the national highway for about an hour.

Denying the allegations, Deputy Collector Pradeep Gaonkar said the administration had responded promptly. “We had already initiated efforts to trace the missing vessel and were in constant coordination with the Coast Guard, coastal police and the fisheries department. However, the villagers blocked the national highway for nearly an hour,” he said.

Gaonkar added that a mamlatdar was deputed to remain in touch with the families of the missing fishermen and to keep the local community informed about the ongoing search efforts.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Nilesh Rane, who reached the spot during the highway blockade, said all necessary steps were taken to locate the canoe. “We later received confirmation from the coastal police that the canoe had been found and all four fishermen were safe,” Rane said.

The safe return of the fishermen brought relief to their families and the local fishing community.