An elderly man and an elderly woman who fled the economic crisis-hit Sri Lanka using an illegal ferry to India were found unconscious on the seashore in Dhanushkodi.
Around 7am, local fishermen spotted the duo on the shore near Kothandaramar temple. The Coastal Security Group (Marine) police in Rameswaram were informed. The police managed to reach the spot around 8am and found 81-year-old Sivan from Mannar and 71-year-old Parameswari from Trincomalee unconscious. Since, the only available road to Dhanushkodi was five km away, they decided to seek the help of the Indian Coast Guard to send a hovercraft for the rescue.
Since the access road was more than 5km away from the spot, Coastal Security Group personnel had to protect the heavily dehydrated senior citizens with whatever they could till the Coast Guard’s hovercraft arrived at the spot.
It took three hours for the hovercraft to arrive since the base is situated in the Mandapam facing South sea while the spot where these Sri Lankans landed lies in North sea. Other formalities like providing requisition letter were also involved. As the health condition of the two elderly people started deteriorating due to scorching coastal heat, the marine police had to provide them shade using the clothes they brought in their bags.
Once the hovercraft arrived, the Sri Lankans were first taken to Rameswaram Government Hospital for first aid. They were later shifted to Ramanathapuram Government Hospital for further treatment.
Marine police inspector Kanagaraj said a ferryman from Sri Lanka dropped the two at chest level water and they waded in cold sea water to reach the shore. By the time they reached shore, the duo was spent and the day’s temperature took a heavy toll on them.
“After hours of treatment, the man has gained consciousness but remains in a shock while the woman is yet to gain her consciousness. Once they recover, we would be able to get more information,” he said.
With the economic condition in the neighbouring country in doldrums, many Sri Lankans are fleeing the country and arriving as refugees taking an illegal ferry. The number has crossed 90. The refugees are hosted at Mandapam refugee camp.
Source: The Times of India