A barge has washed ashore at Neerkunnam, near Ambalappuzha, on Monday.
It was first spotted drifting in the sea and washed ashore by 8 a.m. Arthunkal coastal police station Circle Inspector Suresh R. told The Hindu that efforts were on to contact the crew in the barge. “There are at least 2-3 crew members in the barge. We couldn’t contact them or enter it. We have informed the Indian Coast Guard and sought their assistance” Mr. Suresh said.
It is carrying at least two vessels and a speedboat. The police said that as per the preliminary investigation the barge was registered in Abu Dhabi. “The barge towed by a ship was heading to Abu Dhabi from Indonesia. It had anchored at Kochi and broken free the other day. It belongs to a shipping company and we have already contacted their representatives in Kerala,” Mr. Suresh said. Officials further said that inclement weather and rough sea had delayed rescue operations. Hundreds of people have gathered on the shore to see the barge.
