8 missing after trawler capsizes in Bay of Bengal

Eight people have been missing since a trawler capsized at Mahipura Point in the Bay of Bengal on Monday, September 6. 

The fishing trawler, which was carrying 11 people, capsized in a storm in the early hours of Monday. Three of the crew were rescued alive.

The owner of the trawler is among the missing.

The eight missing fishermen were identified as Nirab, Rubel, Shiraj, Yusuf, Shahid Jhiladar, Rafiqul Islam, Bazlur Rahman, and Delwar Chowkidar, from Velumia union of Bhola sadar.

Shiraj Majhi, one of the three who were rescued, said they were all in the trawler’s cabin when they were caught in the storm. The survivors latched onto floatation and hung on for dear life until they were picked up by another fishing trawler, which brought them to Char Fasson Samraj Ghat. 

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Chairman of Velumia Union Abdus Salam Master also said the 11 fishermen from Velumia Union went fishing and were caught in a storm out at sea. Three fishermen returned alive, while eight are still missing.

Bhola Deputy Commissioner Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury said: “We have been informed about this matter and the Coast Guard has been dispatched to search for the missing fishermen.” 

The families of the missing and surviving fishermen will be offered assistance, he added. 

Monir Hossain, an official of the Coast Guard South Zone, said efforts to locate the missing fishermen were ongoing.