Six scientists of NIO attacked in sea

PANAJI: A boat carrying six scientists of Waltair-Vishkhapatnam-based regional centre of National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) was attacked off the Yermal coast in Udupi district of Karnataka.

No one was injured in the incident.

The attackers, boarding two canoes, alighted into the NIO boat two days ago and took away geo-physical survey instruments after a brief scuffle with the scientists, a NIO spokesman said on Wednesday.

The NIO officials, who were yet to ascertain whether the act was piracy or a loot for petty gains, said they were still studying the incident.

The boat was hired by NIO and did not belong to the institute, the spokesman said.

"All the six scientists from Waltair regional centre were on a sponsored project to the West coast to conduct research on sea variations and tsunami alerts," the spokesman said.

NIO Director VP Shetye said the institute was accessing the loss incurred for the instruments.

"A case has been registered with the Udupi Police who are investigating the matter," Shetye said.

The institute will release a formal bulletin later this evening, listing names of the scientists on board during the incident, officials said.