Having suffered two losses, the drowning of a fellow fisherman and the loss of their boat, both while under the care of the Indian embassy in Myanmar, eight Chennai fishermen rescued by coast guard of that country after 50 days at sea are further distressed over the delay in returning home, The Times of India reported.

The plan was for them to fly to the city on September 28. However as chartering a plane proved too expensive, the plan was dropped. They are now expected to return on October 7 or 8, sources said.

South Indian Fishermen Welfare Association president K Bharathi said the mechanised deep-sea fishing boat was anchored at a harbour along the Myanmar coast. There were nine fishermen on the boat, of whom eight were rescued. Babu of Tiruchinanguppam near Tiruvottiyur, had drowned and his body is yet to be traced.