: An unregistered mechanised vessel with 38 fishermen on board caught fire in the sea off Pazhaiyar coast on Friday.
The fishermen from Sonankuppam village in Cuddalore district were engaged in fishing when the engine developed technical snag and the vessel caught fire about two nautical miles east off Pazhaiyar.
The fishermen threw the nets into the sea and jumped into the water to protect themselves and put out the fire later with help from other fishermen engaged in fishing nearby, Coastal Security Group sources said.
The Sonankuppam fishermen boarded the boats of other fishermen and arrived at Pazhaiyar harbour. The mechanised vessel that caught fire was towed to Pazhaiyar.
CSG sources said the vessel was fitted with a Chinese engine
