A fisherman lost his life when a high-mast light at the Mappila Bay Fishing Harbour here fell on him following heavy winds on Saturday.
The deceased has been identified as P. Pavithran, 54, a resident of Thayyil. The mishap occurred at around 11 a.m. According to eye witnesses, he was sitting inside the harbour compound with his friends when one of the high-mast lights and its metal frames fell on his head. Though he was immediately taken to the District Government Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.
The incident triggered protests by local residents and fishermen who alleged that the tragedy was caused due to lack of proper maintenance of facilities by the Harbour Engineering Department. Pavithran was at the harbour for mending fishing nets with his fellow fishermen as they were not able to go for fishing due to inclement weather, they said.
‘Natural calamity’
Revenue officials led by Kannur Tahsildar visited the spot. As the incident occurred following heavy winds, it would be treated as a natural calamity, the officials said.
In another development, 19 families at Gopalpetta near Thalassery were shifted to nearby Fisheries LP School after seawater entered their locality. Two fishing boats that had gone for fishing on November 28 with three fishermen each on board returned safely on Saturday morning, authorities said.
A control room has also been opened at the Fisheries Station here. The contact numbers are: 0497-2732487, 9447141193, 9496007039.
