Five Sri Lankan fishermen died after consuming an unidentified liquid from bottles they found floating in the ocean. The incident occurred during a multi-day fishing trip aboard the Devon 5 that began on June 4, 2024, from the Tangalle Fisheries Harbour. The fishermen, believing the bottles contained alcohol, drank the liquid, resulting in immediate fatal consequences for four of them.
The incident happened approximately 320 nautical miles (about 370 miles) off the coast of Sri Lanka. Two surviving fishermen, critically ill, were transferred to the Singaporean merchant vessel MV Kota Camil for urgent medical treatment, according to navy spokesperson Gayan Wickramasuriya.
The Sri Lankan Navy promptly initiated efforts to save the affected fishermen. A navy ship, SLNS Vijayabahu, was dispatched with a medical team to provide aid and facilitate the survivor’s safe return. “We are coordinating with the Singaporean vessel to transfer the critically ill fisherman to our ship at sea,” stated Mr. Wickramasuriya. The fifth fisherman died on Sunday, June 30.
Director General of the Sri Lankan Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Susantha Kahawatte, disclosed that the fishermen had distributed some of the bottles to other nearby fishing trawlers before realizing the danger. Authorities attempted to notify these vessels to prevent further casualties.
The fishing community in Tangalle responded to the tragedy with protests, demanding the immediate return of the surviving fisherman to shore. Demonstrators blocked the Tangalle-Matara main road in Pallikkudawa, causing significant traffic disruptions.
This incident highlights the fishermen’s dangerous conditions and the critical need for caution when encountering anything unknown at sea. Authorities are now investigating the bottles’ contents to determine the exact cause of the poisoning.