According to local media reports, four Sri Lankan sailors have died and two are in critical condition after consuming an unidentified water from bottles they found while at water.
The seamen were reportedly on a hunting trip when they retrieved the containers from Tangalle, a village on the island’s southern coast, about 320 nautical miles away.
The sailors were reported to have been intoxicated by the Sri Lanka Navy’s claims that they had ingested alcohol from the bottles.
Susantha Kahawatte, director general of the Sri Lankan Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, claimed the army was attempting to bring them back to shore in an interview with various media outlets.
He reportedly claimed that the navy was treating the men aboard the fishing boat called the Devon because they feared there would n’t be enough time to bring them back to land for treatment.
For clarification and reply, the BBC has contacted Mr. Kahawatta and the Sri Lankan Navy.
Mr. Kahawatta claimed that the sailors had given some of the bottles to various personnel operating in the area.
He added that efforts to alert these crew were being made.
The Devon was being towed back to shore by another vehicle, according to the navy’s local advertising. On June 4, it left Tangalle and set off.
The coastal town, which is located about 120 miles ( 193 kilometers ) from Colombo’s capital, has reportedly organized protests calling for the sailors who were still alive to be brought back to shore.
Officials are currently looking into the material of the bottles.