Balasore: Two fishermen were killed due to the suspected inhalation of toxic gas emanated from a rotten fish at Naupalagadi under Balaramgadi marine police station limits in Balasore district on Monday. The deceased were identified as Prabhakar Mallick (35) of Adhua village under Basudevpur police station limits in Bhadrak district and Mangala Soren (32) from Badaguma area under Baishinga police station limits in Mayurbhanj district. Both were staff members of the ‘Bada Shankha’ fishing boat.The incident occurred while the fishermen were unloading fish from a trawler that had returned from sea. During the process, the duo reportedly entered a storage chamber inside the boat to remove the catch, where they are believed to have been exposed to hazardous gas emitted from a decomposed fish. Sources said the victims may have suffocated after getting trapped inside the enclosed chamber filled with toxic fumes. They were rescued and rushed to the district headquarters hospital in Balasore, where they were declared brought dead.Balaramgadi Trawler Association’s president Badal Das said that small fish and crabs caught during deep-sea fishing are often collected and processed into fish feed, which is later sold at around Rs 20 per kg by the staff of the fishing trawler. However, when stored for long periods, the material decomposes and produces dangerous gases, posing a serious risk to workers. He added that similar incidents had occurred in the past, following which workers had been advised against storing such decomposed material. Despite warnings, the practice allegedly continues due to financial gains. Balasore (sadar) SDPO Shubhranshu Shekhar Nayak said an unnatural death case has been registered, and the bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination. “Further investigation into the incident is underway,” he said.
