Image credit : Illustrative Image

Kochi: In a bid to streamline search and rescue operations, it has been decided that all agencies will work from Kochi which will be the base station.
Different wings of the defence forces and other agencies have already moved to the port city.

With Kochi being the headquarters for the Southern Naval Command, it would be easier for agencies to get infrastructure support from the Indian Navy with minimum time loss, official sources said.

The rescue agencies dismissed reports of fishermen that the operations were confined to 40 nautical miles.

Separately, 32 locals who had ventured into sea in search of missing fishermen reached here today. They had gone in three boats and got trapped at Bitra island in Lakshadweep.
Eight persons had gone in the boat Maria and 12 each in St Joseph and Periyanayaka.