Somalians found unconscious in boat near Veraval coast

Seven foreign nationals were found in an unconscious state in a boat near Veraval coast by local fishermen today, Coast Guard officials said here.

Seven foreign nationals were found in an unconscious state in a boat near Veraval coast by local fishermen today, Coast Guard officials said here.

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Given their weak physical condition, they have been admitted to Veraval general hospital for treatment, they said.

"Their boat was devoid of food or water and the seven people claimed they were fishermen from Somalia and had ventured into the sea near their country for fishing," an official said.

They claimed that pirates robbed them on May 24 and damaged their boat but the fishermen managed to get hold of another one, which started drifting into the sea and somehow reached Veraval, he said.

ICG officials said communicating with the foreign nationals was very difficult as they cannot speak English.

The fishermen would be interrogated again with the help of an interpreter once they are declared fit, coast guard officials added.