The passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka was suspended on Saturday following an engine failure incident that delayed the arrival of the vessel carrying 144 passengers, including 45 foreign nationals, on Friday night.

According to passengers and port sources, the ferry, which departed Kankesanthurai at 2.30 p.m., developed an engine problem when it was around three nautical miles off the Nagapattinam coast. The vessel remained stranded for several hours as the crew attempted repairs.

The ferry, scheduled to reach Nagapattinam around 6.30 p.m., arrived only around 10.45 p.m. after fishermen assisted in towing the vessel to the harbour. Medical teams attended to some passengers who complained of dizziness and discomfort after remaining onboard for several hours. Four ambulances were kept ready at the port.

Passengers alleged that the ferry service had been facing recurring delays and technical faults in recent months, raising concerns over passenger safety. Suresh from Bengaluru and Abdul from Thondi, who travelled on the ferry, said passengers were anxious after the vessel remained stationary mid-sea for hours. They urged the authorities to improve safety measures and ensure better facilities onboard.

No official announcement has been made on when the ferry service will resume.