Jagan Mohan Reddy to visit Vizag on July 14 to meet families of 6 missing fishermen
Synopsis
Six fishermen are presumed dead after a boat capsized off Visakhapatnam on 4 July and the Navy-Coast Guard search was abandoned on 8 July. Now YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy is stepping in — visiting bereaved families on 14 July and levelling pointed allegations of a 20-hour rescue delay and ministerial silence that could put the Chandrababu Naidu government on the defensive.
Key Takeaways
Jagan Mohan Reddy will visit Visakhapatnam on 14 July to meet families of six missing fishermen at Jabbarpet .
A mechanised fishing vessel capsized 10 nautical miles off the Gangavaram coast on 4 July ; the lone survivor Kari Chinna was rescued on 6 July .
The Indian Navy and Coast Guard called off the four-day search-and-rescue operation on 8 July .
YSRCP alleges rescue teams took nearly 20 hours to reach the site despite the accident occurring 8 nautical miles from shore.
The state government distributed ₹10 lakh each in ex-gratia to the families of the six missing fishermen.
Chandrababu Naidu , and other senior ministers have been criticised for not visiting the affected families.
Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is set to visit Visakhapatnam on 14 July to console the families of the six fishermen who went missing after a boat capsized off the Visakhapatnam coast on 4 July. The visit comes as criticism mounts over the state government's handling of the rescue operation.
What Jagan's Visit Covers
YSRCP Visakhapatnam District President K.K. Raju announced on Sunday that Jagan Mohan Reddy will arrive at Visakhapatnam Airport at 10:30 am and proceed directly to the homes of the missing fishermen at Jabbarpet in the Visakhapatnam South Assembly constituency. He will also meet Kari Chinna, the lone survivor of the accident, along with his family members.
The Boat Accident: What Happened
A mechanised fishing vessel carrying seven fisherfolk capsized approximately 10 nautical miles off the Gangavaram coast in Visakhapatnam on 4 July. The crew had set out for sea on 1 July and the boat went down while returning to shore. A merchant vessel rescued Kari Chinna, the sole survivor, who was brought ashore on 6 July. The remaining six fishermen are presumed dead after a four-day search-and-rescue operation by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard was called off on 8 July.
YSRCP's Criticism of the State Government
K.K. Raju alleged serious lapses in the government's response, noting that despite the accident occurring just eight nautical miles from shore, rescue teams took nearly 20 hours to reach the site. He attributed the delay to a lack of coordination among the Coast Guard, Navy, Marine Police, Fisheries Department, and Revenue Department.
Raju also questioned the decision to call off the search before the missing fishermen were located, and expressed disappointment that Home Minister V. Anitha — who represents the united Visakhapatnam district — had not visited the affected families. He further criticised Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, IT Minister Nara Lokesh, and Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu for remaining silent on the tragedy.
Raju also accused the state government of falsely claiming credit for rescuing Kari Chinna and alleged that ministers distributed compensation cheques without engaging with the concerns of the bereaved families.
Government's Ex-Gratia Response
The Andhra Pradesh state government announced an ex-gratia of ₹10 lakh each to the families of the six missing fishermen. The YSRCP, however, argued that financial compensation without accountability for the rescue failures is insufficient, and has called for a thorough inquiry into the delayed response.
What Comes Next
With Jagan Mohan Reddy's visit on 14 July set to amplify political pressure, the state government is likely to face renewed scrutiny over inter-agency coordination in maritime emergencies. The incident has reignited debate over the preparedness of coastal rescue infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh.
Point of View
Even with a Navy and Coast Guard on standby. The ex-gratia of ₹10 lakh per family closes the government's financial obligation on paper while leaving the accountability gap wide open. If the inter-agency coordination failure alleged by the YSRCP is accurate, it points to a systemic problem in Andhra Pradesh's maritime emergency response that no amount of compensation cheques will fix.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the six missing fishermen from the Visakhapatnam boat accident?
Six of the seven fishermen aboard a mechanised vessel that capsized approximately 10 nautical miles off the Gangavaram coast in Visakhapatnam on 4 July are missing and presumed dead. Their lone crewmate, Kari Chinna, was rescued by a merchant vessel and brought ashore on 6 July.
Why did Jagan Mohan Reddy visit Visakhapatnam on July 14?
YSRCP President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy visited Visakhapatnam on 14 July to console the families of the six missing fishermen at Jabbarpet and to meet survivor Kari Chinna. The visit was also a political statement against what the YSRCP described as the state government's inadequate response to the tragedy.
What compensation did the Andhra Pradesh government provide to the fishermen's families?
The state government announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹10 lakh each to the families of the six missing fishermen. The YSRCP has criticised the manner of distribution, alleging ministers handed over cheques without listening to the families' concerns.
Why was the rescue operation called off before the fishermen were found?
The Indian Navy and Coast Guard conducted a four-day search-and-rescue operation before calling it off on 8 July, with the six fishermen still untraced. The YSRCP alleged that a lack of coordination among the Coast Guard, Navy, Marine Police, Fisheries Department, and Revenue Department contributed to the failure to locate the missing men.
What is the YSRCP's criticism of the Andhra Pradesh government over this incident?
YSRCP leaders allege that rescue teams took nearly 20 hours to reach the accident site despite it being just eight nautical miles from shore, and blamed poor inter-agency coordination. They also criticised senior ministers — including Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Home Minister V. Anitha — for not visiting the affected families.
