Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed shock over the fire accident at the Visakhapatnam fishing harbour and ordered an inquiry into the mishap.
The Chief Minister directed Fisheries Minister S. Appala Raju to visit the accident site and told the officials to extend necessary financial support to the fishermen who lost their boats in the mishap.
At least 25 fishing boats were gutted in a major fire that broke out in Visakhapatnam fishing harbour late at night on Sunday/Monday.
No casualties have been reported so far, according to official sources. The fire started in a mechanised fishing boat and soon spread to other boats anchored in the harbour.
There was panic in the harbour as a few LPG cylinders kept in the boat blasted due to the intensity of the fire, which led to rapid spread to other boats.
The fire was controlled in the early hours of Monday by about half a dozen fire engines. Further investigation is ongoing.