A fisherman died and three others were critically injured after being affected by suspected toxic gas while unloading fish from a mechanised fishing boat at Karaikal Fishing Harbour last night.

According to police, the fishermen had returned after a deep-sea fishing expedition and were unloading their catch when fisherman Muthuvel entered the waste fish storage compartment of the boat and reportedly collapsed after inhaling the gas. Kathiravan, Abinesh and Arun, who entered the compartment to rescue him, were also overcome by the gas and lost consciousness. All four were taken to the Karaikal Government Hospital, where doctors declared Kathiravan dead. The other three are undergoing intensive treatment. Police have registered a case and are investigating the incident.