6 fishermen missing after trawler sinks in Bay of Bengal

Five of the 11 fishermen aboard a fishing trawler were rescued while six remained missing after the vessel sank in the Bay of Bengal, about 60km south of the Maudubi coast in Rangabali upazila of Patuakhali on Sunday night.

The missing fishermen are Imadul Khan, 45; Harun, 60; Forkan, 45; Sayed, 20; Al-Amin, 40; Akkas, 25.

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The trawler capsized at around 10:00pm amid rough weather and strong currents, said one of the recused fishermen, Bayezid, 30.

Others rescued are -- Imadul Sikder, 40, Nazmul, 30, Rakib, 22, and Sajib, 25.

Bayezid said the trawler, owned by Imadul Sikder, of Kharida village under Panpatti union in Galachipa upazila, had left for the Bay on Saturday night with 11 fishermen on board.

It capsized after being struck by huge waves during inclement weather and strong currents, he said.

The fishermen managed to cling to broken parts of the trawler and a buoy, drifting at sea for nearly six hours before being rescued at around 3:00am today by another fishing trawler owned by Imam Sikder from the same area.

Galachipa Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abuzar Md Ejajul Haque said the administrations of Rangabali and Kalapara upazilas coordinated efforts immediately after receiving information about the incident.

Rangabali acting upazila nirbahi officer Md Khairul Hasan said they informed the coast guard immediately after learning about the trawler sinking from the Galachipa UNO, and rescue operations began without delay.