A passenger trawler carrying 45 people from Teknaf to Saint Martin’s became stranded on a sandbar at the mouth of the Naf River on Thursday afternoon.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Inamul Hafiz Nadim said the trawler got stuck on a sandbar in the Naikshyongdia area near Shahpari Island, close to the Myanmar border.
He said the Coast Guard, which was patrolling near Saint Martin’s, had already reached the spot and begun rescue operations.
Abdur Rashid, president of the service boat owners’ association of the Teknaf–Saint Martin’s route, said the trawler’s engine also broke down after it became stranded.
However, no passengers were injured.
Kayukkhali Ghat leaseholder Md Hossain said the recent rise of new sandbars at the mouth of the Naf River has made navigation on the route increasingly risky, heightening the chances of vessels getting stuck or capsizing.
