Three fishing trawlers have sunk in the Bay of Bengal near Kuakata in Patuakhali amid rough seas and strong winds caused by a low-pressure system, leaving at least 13 fishermen missing and damaging five other trawlers.
Acting President of the Mahipur Fish Traders Association Raju Ahmed Raja confirmed the incidents.
According to the association, a small fishing trawler carrying six fishermen sank near Char Bijoy around noon on Wednesday. Although the owner of the trawler, Masud Majhi, was rescued, five fishermen remain missing.
Earlier on Tuesday afternoon, the trawler FB Mahima from Fakirhat sank in the deep sea with 18 fishermen on board. Another trawler rescued 16 fishermen on Wednesday afternoon, but two fishermen are still missing. Four of the rescued fishermen are undergoing treatment at Kalapara Upazila Health Complex.
Before that, a trawler belonging to Imadul of Galachipa sank in the deep sea on Sunday with 11 fishermen aboard. Five fishermen were rescued, while six others remain missing.
Unidentified fisherman’s body recovered from beach
Meanwhile, naval police recovered the body of an unidentified fisherman, believed to be around 40 years old, from Gangamati beach in Kuakata.
Local residents spotted the body floating in the sea on Tuesday afternoon and informed police.
Eyewitness Belal Hossain said, “I was heading out for work when I noticed a foul smell. Looking towards the sea, I saw a body floating in the water and informed the police.”
Police said the body was in a decomposed condition. The deceased was wearing black trousers and a vest bearing the words ‘Bangladesh Islami Andolan Chattogram Metropolitan’.
Kuakata Naval Police Station Officer-in-Charge Moniruzzaman said they initially suspected that the body belonged to a fisherman who had gone deep into the sea.
“Once the identity is confirmed, the body will be handed over to the family members,” he said.
Kalapara Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Apu Saha said a Coast Guard operation was underway to rescue the missing fishermen.
