Berhampur: At least 17 fishermen from Bangladesh were rescued by locals after their fishing boat developed a snag in the deep-sea, about 50 km from here on Friday, police said.
After being rescued by local fishermen, they took shelter at the multi-purpose cyclone shelter centre at Podampeta.
The fishermen from Bangladesh were in trouble in deep-sea as the fan belt of their fishing trawler was damaged about three days ago under the influence of the cyclone Nilam.
When they were trying to come to the shore, local fishermen rescued them, said SP (Ganjam) Ashish Singh.
They were without food for the last three to four days as their ration had finished.
They were inside the sea for 29 days before reaching Ganjam coast, he said.
They are safe and the police administration has started investigation on their actual identities, said a revenue officer.
District collector Krishan Kumar rushed to Podampeta and talked with the rescued Bangladeshis. The administration would provide all possible help to them, he said.
Police was planning to shift them to the marine police station at Arjeepalli.
PTI
