(COLOMBO) – One fisherman died and seven others were hospitalized after inhaling a toxic gas within the cargo hold of a fishing vessel in Southern Sri Lanka, officials said on Thursday.
The incident took place at the Ambalangoda Fisheries Harbour some 124 kilometres from the commercial capital of Colombo, they said.
The fishermen were cleaning the cargo hold of the multi-day fishing trawler prior to leaving for the deep seas when the incident took place.
Police said that forensic and other officials have been sent to the harbour to investigate while fishermen in the area have been advised to be cautious for fears that the toxic gas may have spread into the environment.
The condition of the fishermen that were hospitalized remains stable and not life-threatening, according to hospital officials.
