A fishing trawler sank in the Bay of Bengal off Rangabali in Patuakhali amid rough weather on Wednesday night, but all nine fishermen aboard were rescued by another vessel.
Meanwhile, 18 fishermen have remained stranded at sea since Saturday after their trawler’s engine failed near Sonarchar.
Depression over the Bay has intensified into a deep depression, bringing cloudy skies and intermittent moderate rain across Rangabali, Kuakata and the Payra seaport areas, UNB reports.
Trawler owner Zahir Peya said the vessel went down after being caught in heavy waves. The nine crew members were later rescued by another trawler.
The 18 stranded fishermen are currently located 80 to 100 kilometres east‑southeast of the Sonarchar estuary.
Relatives said nearby trawlers have been unable to reach them due to the rough sea.
The matter has been reported to the upazila administration, Coast Guard and naval police. Rangabali Coast Guard Officer‑in‑charge Amzad Hossain said it could take six to eight hours to reach the stranded men.
He noted limitations in suitable vessels, manpower and rescue equipment.
Rangabali Naval Police said efforts are underway to rescue the 18 fishermen with assistance from other boats at sea.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, maximum sustained wind speed within 48 kilometres of the deep depression’s centre is 50 kilometres per hour, rising to 60 kilometres per hour in gusts or squalls.
Maritime ports, including Payra, have been advised to keep hoisting local cautionary signal No. 3. Fishing boats and trawlers in the northern Bay have taken shelter in channels and fishing ports such as Alipur and Mahipur.
