Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Jan 2: A huge boat (dhow) that was carrying building construction materials to Lakshadweep sunk partially near Kiltan Island of Lakshadweep. All sever labourers on board were rescued. However, building construction material worth lacs of rupees might be drowned in the sea.

The boat by the name 'Faisal Hussain', owned by Zabir of Lakshadweep origin had left the Old Port of Mangaluru on the morning of Monday, December 31, carrying 700 bags of cement, 400 blocks of bricks, 1,000 bags of asphalt, M-sand and steel. On the early morning of Monday, around 4 am water started to gush into the boat. Though the boat anchored near Kiltan Island, it sunk partially. Only four hours of sailing was left for the boat to reach its intended destination at Lakshadweep.

"Information about the partial sinking of the boat was immediately relayed to the owner of the boat at Lakshadweep. A team, which arrived from Lakshadweep in another boat rescued all the seven crew on board. As the boat is sunk partially, it will be difficult to tow it to the shore. It will be difficult to salvage the goods on board of the boat," said Abdul Latif, secretary of Association of Old Port Consumers' Association.