Rights panel probes deaths of two fishermen in confined space incident

A regional human rights panel has directed the District Collector to submit a comprehensive report into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of two fishermen who died from asphyxiation, officials said.

The incident has intensified scrutiny over occupational safety practices in the fishing industry, particularly concerning workers assigned to enter confined storage compartments aboard fishing vessels. Such spaces pose significant risks of oxygen depletion and toxic gas accumulation, yet safety protocols remain inconsistently enforced across many operations.

Fishing boat workers are often required to access cramped storage areas and cargo holds with minimal protective equipment or safety monitoring. The lack of standardized safety measures, inadequate ventilation systems, and insufficient rescue procedures have been identified as recurring risk factors in workplace fatalities within the sector.

The rights commission's intervention reflects growing concerns about worker protections in India's fishing industry, which employs thousands of labourers in demanding and hazardous conditions. Authorities have been asked to investigate whether proper safety protocols were in place and whether adequate training and equipment were provided to the deceased workers.