THOOTHUKUDI
Two fishermen suffered burns when hydrogen balloons burst in the engine room of their boat in the sea on Wednesday.
Police said eight fishermen had ventured into the sea from Tharuvaikulam fishing harbour in the mechanised boat owned by one Subhash on Tuesday. When the boat was 27 nautical miles off Tharuvaikulam coast around 1.30 p.m. on Wednesday, the fishermen saw a bunch of 15 hydrogen balloons, normally used during festivals, coming towards them in air.
After breaking a few of them with hands, M. Clinton (20) of Vembar took the remaining balloons to the engine room, where he was taking rest along with other fishermen. But the balloons burst suddenly due to the heat generated by the engine and the compressed hydrogen caused multiple burn injuries on Mr. Clinton and minor injuries on Maria Nelson (19).
The other fishermen rushed the duo to Tharuvaikulam from where they were taken to the hospital. While Mr. Nelson was treated as an outpatient, Mr. Clinton is undergoing treatment at the hospital. He is said to be “out of danger”.
Tharuvaikulam Coastal Security Group police are investigating.