Uttara Kannada, 31 October

Two workers died, and two others fell ill after allegedly inhaling toxic gas emanating from fish stored in a fishing boat at Mudaga fishing harbour in Karwar, Uttara Kannada district, on Saturday.

The incident occurred aboard the Mookambika fishing boat, which belongs to Belekeri in Ankola taluk, while the workers were cleaning its fish storage compartment.

The deceased have been identified as Purandara Bisara, 21, and Akash, 24, both natives of Odisha. The two other workers who also fell ill were shifted to the hospital for treatment.

According to sources, the boat had returned from a fishing expedition carrying a catch of fish locally known as 'Chaman'. The workers reportedly inhaled toxic gas released by the fish while cleaning the storage compartment. Two of them died despite medical treatment.

2ND CASE IN A WEEK 

The incident has raised concern among members of the fishing community, as a similar tragedy had occurred at Tadadi fishing harbour near Gokarna on 27 October. Three fishermen had died after allegedly inhaling toxic gas emanating from 'Chaman' fish stored in a fishing boat. They too were cleaning the storage compartment when they inhaled toxic fumes and collapsed on the spot.