Balasore, Aug 24: Two fishermen tragically died after reportedly suffocating inside the storage chamber of a mechanised fishing boat in Odisha's Balasore district, police said on Sunday.
The incident occurred on Saturday at the Balaramgudi fishing base, near Chandipur.
According to police, the victims, aged 34 and 31, lost consciousness while entering the boat’s storage chamber to retrieve fish. Preliminary reports suggest they may have inhaled formalin fumes, a chemical commonly used to preserve fish, which likely led to their collapse.
Other fishermen present at the site quickly rescued the duo and rushed them to the Balasore District Hospital, where doctors declared them brought dead.
Police have sent the bodies for post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. Officials said a clearer picture will emerge once the forensic report is received.
Authorities have launched an investigation and are also reviewing safety protocols at local fishing bases. Formalin, though used in preservation, can be hazardous in confined spaces, raising concerns about occupational safety for those working in such environments.
