Four Sri Lankan fishermen have tragically died, and two others are critically ill after consuming an unknown liquid from bottles they found at sea, according to reports from local media.
The sailors, on a fishing expedition about 320 nautical miles from Tangalle on the southern coast, reportedly mistook the bottles for containing alcohol.
The Sri Lanka Navy confirmed that the fishermen had ingested the liquid, thinking it was alcohol.
Efforts are underway to bring them back to shore, with the navy providing medical attention aboard their vessel, the Devon.
Due to concerns about the urgency of medical treatment, attempts to return them to land promptly are being managed.
Director General of the Sri Lankan Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Susantha Kahawatte, disclosed that some bottles had been shared with other nearby fishing crews.
Efforts are ongoing to inform these crews about the incident.
Local reports indicate that another vessel is towing the Devon back to Tangalle, where it originally departed from on June 4th.
The incident has sparked protests in Tangalle, urging for swift actions to aid the surviving fishermen.
Authorities are actively investigating the contents of the bottles as the situation unfolds.
Source-BBC
