A fisherman disappeared off the coast of Jama when confronting pirates

Jama, MANABÍ

Tired of having their engines and gear stolen, several fishermen faced pirates off the coast of El Matal, in the Jama canton, on the afternoon of this Sunday 24.

According to those affected, in the middle of the confrontation a fisherman fell injured into the sea, while two were injured and on Monday 25 they managed to reach land in search of medical help.

Edwin Aulestia, chief of operations of the Harbor Master of Bahía de Caráquez, stated that the attackers fired several shots, but in a quick maneuver of their boats the fishermen managed to hit the pirates’ boat, who continued to shoot at them.

Before falling into the water, the missing fisherman received a cut on his neck with a knife.

Aulestia said five fishermen made landfall Monday morning. Immediately, they contacted ECU911 and began a search and search operation for those responsible for the attack and for the missing fisherman, while the wounded were taken to the Miguel Hilario Alcívar hospital in Bahía de Caráquez.

Navy personnel carried out a reaction operation to try to locate the attackers, but to no avail, Aulestia added.

The official indicated that the missing fisherman was identified as Óscar Carrasco, about 25 years old and a native of Jama.

Jesús Argüello, president of the El Matal Fisheries Production Cooperative, regretted this fact. He said he was concerned because this type of crime has been replicated in recent months.

“The sea already belongs to the pirates and there is no one to protect the artisanal fishermen. Here, they shoot and kill our fishermen and there are no authorities, neither civil nor military, who respond to these events, ”said Argüello. (I)