Three Somalis arrested in Lakshadweep

NEW DELHI - Three Somalis were found in an unconscious state on Minicoy island in Lakshadweep after swimming ashore from their boat, an Indian Navy official said Friday. All three have been arrested.

“The men were exhausted and dehydrated. They had managed to swim ashore after abandoning their boat. It is also learnt that a fourth man drowned,” a navy spokesman said.

An abandoned boat has been found in the Arabian sea near the island, he said. The three were found Thursday evening and were taken to a hospital.

The spokesman said the navy, the Coast Guard and police combed the waters around Lakshadweep Thursday evening after a suspicious boat was spotted around five kilometres off Minicoy island.

Minocpy is the southernmost island off Lakshwadeep.

“Subsequently, three Somalian nationals were discovered in an unconscious state. The men had managed to swim ashore after abandoning their boat,” the spokesman said.

A detailed interrogation of the three men would be conducted to ascertain their identity after they regain their health, he said.