Navy rescues 02 fishermen after fishing trawler capsizes off Galle

On receipt of distress alert of a fishing trawler overturning on 27 Jun 25, approximately 09 nautical miles (16 km) off the coast of Galle, the Sri Lanka Navy, in coordination with the Air Force, launched an intensive search and rescue operation.

Accordingly, early this morning (28 Jun), the Navy located and rescued one fisherman of the distressed trawler with the help of a nearby fishing trawler. The survivor was rushed to Karapitiya Hospital in Galle for medical attention .

Additionally, a special Navy search and rescue team swiftly launched a dedicated operation in the sea area to locate the remaining fishermen went missing. During the search, they discovered one fisherman still alive inside the overturned trawler.

Acting promptly, a Navy diving team conducted a challenging rescue mission, supplying the survivor with oxygen using compressed air cylinders while simultaneously stabilizing the vessel to prevent it from sinking. Through the operation which was executed with professional skill and technical precision, the Navy divers successfully rescued the trapped fisherman.

The Navy then arranged for his immediate transfer to shore, rushing him to Karapitiya Hospital in Galle for urgent medical care on the evening of 28 Jun.

Tragically, the bodies of two other crew members of the trawler were recovered and brought ashore later in the evening (28 Jun). A Navy rescue team remains deployed in the sea area to locate the remaining missing fisherman.