Abu Dhabi: The captain of a fishing boat hanged himself to death from the bow of his boat, Gulf News has learnt.
The incident happened during the day on Sunday while the boat was harboured at the Mina wharf, an Abu Dhabi police official said.
The deceased was identified as Kanti Beku Tandil, an Indian national, hailing from Gujarat.
The incident happened while hundreds of fishermen, working on similar boats docked in the area, left for their regular noon break, at around 2pm, police said.
They returned to find Tandil hanging from the bow, with most of his body in water.
Forensic investigations later confirmed the man had committed suicide.
"Foul plays were ruled out by forensic examination," an official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Tandil was about 35 years of age and was survived by his wife and three children back home, fellow fishermen said. "It is hard to forget the sight… His body was immersed in water almost to his neck and we could just see his face," one said.
One of the fishermen alerted the authorities, he added.
Tandil and two others used to go fishing on the boat.
"During afternoons, we take about two hours break since it is too hot these days. It happened while all of us where away… so we did not know about it until we returned," the fisherman said.
Tandil's colleagues said the fisherman had been working in the UAE for two years.
Those close to him were still speculating on why he committed suicide.
"There are many of us here from the same state [Gujarat] as him," one said.
"We are all friends here and know each other well … But we don't know why he did it", one said.
There was no suicide note, he said.
Since the death occurred within the port area the case is being investigated by the Marine police division.
