Five Sri Lankan Fishermen Left Dead After Drinking Unknown Liquid From Bottles Found At Sea

By: Sam Watanuki | Published: Jul 18, 2024

While fishing 320 nautical miles from Tangalle, Sri Lanka, a group of fishermen came across mysterious bottles containing an unknown liquid.

What seemed like a harmless find turned into a deadly encounter.

Mysterious Bottles on Devon

The fishing vessel Devon carried the ill-fated crew who discovered the bottles on June 4.

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The silhouette of alcohol bottles in an orange and red light.

Source: Sérgio Alves Santos/Unsplash

Sharing the liquid among themselves, the crew soon fell ill, marking the beginning of a tragic series of events.

The Deadly Consequence

Despite receiving basic medical help from Sri Lanka Navy personnel, five fishermen succumbed to the effects of the unknown liquid.

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The interior of a hospital room with a row of beds

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One remains critically ill, highlighting the grave danger posed by the toxic substance.

Community in Shock

The small coastal town of Tangalle was rocked by the news.

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A medical professional in protective gear cares for a sick patient behind a curtain

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Families and friends of the deceased fishermen are devastated, struggling to comprehend how a routine fishing trip ended in such tragedy.

Public Outcry and Protests

The incident sparked protests in Tangalle, with grieving families blaming the Sri Lankan Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

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A group of people walk as a protest whole wearing face masks

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They demanded better safety measures and immediate medical aid for the surviving fishermen.

Call for Immediate Action

Families and protesters are calling for the urgent return of all remaining fishermen to land for proper medical treatment.

A photograph of a fisherman using a large net to catch fish

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The local community is rallying for stronger regulations to prevent such incidents in the future.

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Emergency Treatment at Sea

Two of the affected fishermen received emergency medical treatment aboard a Singaporean merchant ship, with one remaining in critical condition at the time of this writing.

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Their condition shows the need for immediate and accessible medical care for those at sea.

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Efforts to Prevent Further Tragedy

The Sri Lanka Navy is actively contacting all ships that interacted with Devon since June 4.

A large industrial fishing boat with its nets out

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Their goal is to locate any remaining bottles and prevent further deaths from the toxic liquid.

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Unclear Details on Bottles

The exact number of bottles found by Devon’s crew remains unknown.

Big Question Mark with a lot of Small Question Marks

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Authorities are working tirelessly to gather information and ensure no additional bottles pose a threat to other fishing vessels.

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Warning to the Fishing Community

Authorities urge all fishing vessels to report any suspicious items found at sea.

A faceless man fishing in a local lake

Source: Freepik

The importance of avoiding unidentified substances is being emphasized to safeguard the health and lives of fishermen.

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Stricter Regulations Needed

The incident has highlighted the urgent need for better safety protocols in the fishing industry, but there is still something to be said about common sense in not drinking or eating from strange or random discoveries.

A lawyer is pictured adding his signature to paperwork

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The local community and authorities are working together to implement stricter regulations and ensure the well-being of fishermen.

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A Community Mourns and Hopes for Change

As Tangalle mourns the loss of five fishermen, the community hopes for changes that will prevent such tragedies in the future.

A view of the Indian Ocean during sunset underneath a cloudy blue sky.

Source: Jeremy Ducray/Unsplash

The resilience and unity of the people shine through in their collective call for action and safety improvements.

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