Sri Lanka, Aug. 6 -- The Sri Lanka Navy has initiated a rescue and assistance operation for an Indian fishing trawler that ran aground on a reef off Delft Island while poaching in Sri Lankan waters.

The trawler had reportedly crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) into Sri Lankan territorial waters for unlawful fishing activities when it encountered rough weather overnight between yesterday evening and early this morning.

The trawler reportedly drifted onto a coastal reef off Delft Island and became grounded.

The Navy said that approximately 11 Indian fishermen are aboard the trawler.

Due to the impact of grounding on the reef, the trawler has sustained partial structural damage. However, Navy said that the situation...