High sea drama

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

Medical treatment for stranded foreigners

Ridma Dissanayake

The Health Ministry has made arrangements to provide medical treatment for the Bangladesh and Myanmar nationals found stranded in a boat, a ministry spokesman said.

A number of medical officers are observing the foreigners’ condition. Health Services Director General instructed medical officers to treat them, the spokesman said.

Eight persons suffering from dehydration were admitted to the Akkaraipattu Hospital. Their blood samples have been taken to find out if they have been infected with Malaria. The conditions of others are stable, he said

* Op saves 138 foreigners stranded 50 nautical miles off Akkaraipattu

* Group comprises 138 Bangladeshi and Myanmar nationals

The Navy rescued 138 Bangladeshi and Myanmar nationals from a sinking overcrowded wooden vessel, 50 nautical miles off Akkaraipattu on Saturday, in a 20 hour rescue operation.

The group comprising 127 Bangladeshi and 11 Myanmar nationals, included 132 men, three women and three children. They had been stranded at sea for 10 days and were rescued by the Navy on a request by the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department, Navy Media Spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya said.

The rickety vessel was first sighted by a local fishing craft named Manju 4 which alerted the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department. A Navy routine patrol craft was immediately directed to rescue the foreigners, he said.

The group was brought to Oluvil Fisheries Harbour and six, including four men and two women, were rushed to the Akkaraipattu Base Hospital for treatment following acute dehydration, Warnakulasuriya said.

Navy medical personnel provided emergency medical treatment to those who were dehydrated.

One man died in the incident and others were handed over to Oluvil Police for investigations.

The Bangladesh and Myanmar Embassies were informed.