18 fishermen go missing as 22 trawlers sink in Bay

At least 18 fishermen went missing as 22 trawlers capsized in the Bay of Bengal in Bagerhat and Barguna districts from Saturday night till Sunday afternoon during storm. In Bagerhat, at least 15 fishermen went missing as 12 trawlers sank in the Bay in different parts of the district on Saturday night and Sunday. The owners of the capsized trawlers and fishermen said at least 12 trawlers capsized during the storm in Fairway Boya, Dublarchar and Hiranpoint in Sharankhola upazila of the district. Besides, around 100 trawlers took shelter in different areas due to inclement weather caused by a low over the Bay. Majibor Rahman, president of Sharankhola Trawler Owners Association, said the missing fishermen hail from different districts including Bagerhat, Barguna and Patuakhali districts. Two trawlers with 33 fishermen capsized in the Bay near Fairway Boya being caught by a storm on Saturday night, he said. Zonal Commander Captain Mehedi Masud of Coast Guard Mongla West Zone said coast guard members are conducting a drive in search of the missing fishermen. However, the Met office has asked to keep hoisted local cautionary signal no 3 at Mongla port due to the low in the Bay. Meanwhile, UNB Barguna correspondent reports: at least 10 trawlers sank in Kachikhali, Katka, Narikelbaria and Satbam areas early Sunday. Three fishermen went missing following the trawler capsize, said Golam Mostafa Chowdhury, president of Barguna District Fisheries Trawler Owners Association. – Dhaka, Sept 20 (UNB)