Every day, whether in the morning, afternoon, or night, five-year-old Mariful Jannat watches her mother’s mobile phone, waiting for a call from her father.
Whenever the phone rings, she runs to it, pulling her three-year-old brother, Muaz Abdullah, along with her. They both know that their father, Marine Engineer Abdullah Al Mamun alias Manik, calls them via video during his work breaks in the deep sea.
However, for the last few days, that phone has remained silent. The innocent children only assume that their father is simply busy with his duties at sea, which is why he has been unable to call.
In reality, Marine Engineer Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun has gone missing after the Panama-flagged cargo vessel “MV Ocean Winner” sank in the Bay of Bengal near Indian coast due to a mechanical failure.
Hailing from Satkhira, Mamun is the son of Abdur Rahim of Amtala area under Ward No. 1 of Satkhira Municipality.
Relatives shared that they last spoke with Mamun on Wednesday, during which he inquired about the children’s well-being. However, by Saturday noon, they received the distressing news of the vessel’s mechanical failure and subsequent sinking from acquaintances.
Since the news broke, neighbours and relatives have been gathering at Mamun’s residence, their faces clouded with worry. Yet, oblivious to the tragedy, the two children continue to pass their days waiting for their father’s call.
When the mobile phone rings, they immediately think of their father, and Mariful frequently asks, “Mother, why isn’t father calling?.”
In the face of such questions, Mamun’s wife, Fatema Khatun, remains entirely speechless, unable to utter a single word. Extreme anxiety and panic now grip the family and relatives.
Mamun’s father, Abdur Rahim, explained that his son spends months at sea for his professional requirements, making these phone calls their only means of communication.
“Several days have passed since the ship sank, yet we are still waiting for any confirmed news about whether our son is alive,” he said. “Whenever the phone rings, the children rush to it. Our only demand to the government is to bring us accurate news of my son,” he added.
In response to the crisis, Satkhira Deputy Commissioner Kawsar Aziz said upon learning of the incident, the administration has maintained constant contact with the Indian rescue team and diplomatic channels through Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and Ministry of Shipping.
She assured that efforts are underway to provide the family with information regarding the missing engineer at the earliest possible time.
