A tragedy near Tadadi fishing harbour near Gokarna has claimed 3 fishermen’s lives after they inhaled toxic gas while cleaning a fishing boat’s storage tank filled with decomposed fish. Another fisherman was seriously injured and is in hospital. The fishermen went to the fish hold compartment of a purse seine boat to clean it when they came back from unloading a large quantity of spoiled fish.
The deceased men are Naushad Ali Raja, 35, of Kagal village in Kumta taluk; Aman Ayub Langadu from Onahalli; and Ameer Abdul from Unchalli. The boat involved in the incident was named Khuzaina and was owned by Qasim, a resident of Vanahalli, Kumta taluk. Abdul is a 55-year-old fisherman from Bhatkuli. Local authorities said that the men were cleaning the boat’s fish storage compartment when they were overcome by the fumes from decomposing fish and organic waste.
How the tragedy in Tadadi Harbour unfolded
According to Gokarna Police Inspector Sridhar S. R., the fishing crew had travelled to Goa and had caught a large quantity of a fish locally known as Chaman. The catch had to be delayed in Tadadi harbour by about a day. By the time the boat returned, the fish had already deteriorated and begun to decompose.
The fish were not suitable for human consumption and were to be processed in a fishmeal manufacturing plant, it was said. Once the catch had been brought in the harbour, the fishermen began cleaning the storage tank, commonly called fish hold, where the fish had been kept during the voyage.
During the cleaning operation, one or more fishermen entered the enclosed compartment and collapsed when they were exposed to the accumulated fumes, and when other crew members saw what was happening, they entered the tank to save their colleagues. But they too were affected by the dangerous conditions of the limited space.
The rescue effort quickly became a second emergency when several fishermen were stuck or unable to leave as they became incapacitated inside the compartment. “There was not yet someone who could pull one person out, but there was one unconscious person on the scene and the others were unable to escape by themselves without help,” the report says. It’s a testament to how quickly an obvious cleaning job can go awry when gases build up in a poorly ventilated space.
Three Fishermen Dead, One fights for life
According to the report, Gokarna police rushed to the harbour and helped to get the fishermen to a nearby hospital. Despite their efforts to save them, doctors declared three fishermen dead on arrival, said the report.
The fourth fisherman, Abdul, 55, was said to be in critical condition and in hospital. The details of his condition and the nature of each man’s exposure would be confirmed by the hospital and investigating authorities.
The deaths threw a shock in the fishing community, where crews regularly work with huge catches and work hard. Fishermen are physically demanding in unloading, sorting and cleaning so good ventilation and safe working procedures are very important.
Why can rotten fish produce dangerous gases?
Marine biology experts have noted the potential for ammonia and other hazardous gases to build up in the decomposition of vast quantities of fish. Fish and other organic matter decompose, and microorganisms and chemical processes may release gases that are dangerous at high concentrations. This may build up in a small compartment, and oxygen levels may be lower.
Ammonia can irritate the eyes and respiratory system and, at high levels, can lead to serious lung damage. Other hazards may exist, such as hydrogen sulphide and oxygen deficiency, depending on the material and the conditions inside the storage tank. It is not known which gas or combination of gases is responsible for the Tadadi incident.
Shivakumar Haragi, professor and chairperson of the Department of Marine Biology at Karnatak University in Dharwad, said decomposing fish might have released considerable amounts of ammonia. The fishermen handling this kind of catch may not always have enough ice because the fish are not meant for direct consumption, he said in a statement on his blog.
However, a definitive cause of death can only be established through a proper investigation, which may include medical examination and, where possible, a study of the atmosphere in the fish hold.
Confined space hazards: Why rescue attempts can be fatal
Experts say that entering an enclosed tank to save an unconscious person without proper equipment can put rescue workers in the same dangerous place. Someone who collapses in a confined space may be exposed to toxic gas or oxygen deprivation or be in danger if the first victim has died and the atmosphere is dangerous.
Standard confined space safety procedures call for testing the atmosphere before entering the space, ensuring adequate ventilation, appropriate respiratory protection where necessary, retained trained standby personnel, and a safe rescue system. Holding your breath or covering your face is not enough to protect against toxic gases or oxygen-deficient spaces.
The Tadadi incident has made the need for fishing crews to know all the risks and get practical training in emergency response clear. Boat owners and harbour managers must also consider how to clean fish holds in case big catches become spoiled on long sea trips.
Three fishermen’s deaths turned a routine harbour operation into a devastating tragedy for their families and colleagues. The investigation into the cause of the tragedy and the establishment of safety measures at fishing harbours across Karnataka and around the world will prevent such tragedies in the future.
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