12 fishermen survive after battling for 12 hours at rough sea, 2 still missing

Twelve fishermen survive after battling for 12 hours at rough sea on Thursday

Patuakhali: 12 fishermen survived after battling for 12 hours in the Bay of Bengal near Kuakata, but 2 more fishermen are still missing. The tragic trawler capsized in the deep sea near Kuakata around 4 pm on Tuesday. The sunken trawler had left from Mahipur in Patuakhali to fish in the deep sea. The missing fishermen are Kalam (55) and Shahid (57).

It is learned that Dulal Majhi's trawler was leaving from the deep sea to reach Mahipur Fisheries Port around 4 pm on Tuesday. Suddenly, hostile weather conditions developed in the sea. Within moments, the wind speed increased, creating rough waves in the sea. The trawler lost control due to the strong waves and capsized in the sea.

Eyewitnesses and rescued fishermen said that when the trawler capsized, Kalam and Shaheed were inside the cabin and they sank in an instant. With no other way out, the remaining 12 fishermen, including the fisherman, continued to float in the turbulent sea.

The 12 fishermen fought for their lives in the sea for about 12 hours from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning. Fortunately, they were noticed by the fishermen of another fishing trawler passing through the area on Wednesday morning. The trawler quickly moved forward and was able to rescue the fishermen and the fisherman alive while they were floating in the sea.

The names of the rescued fishermen are initially known as Dulal Majhi (45), Kamal (35), Monir (38), Imran (25), Jamal (35) and Shamim (32). The names of the remaining fishermen could not be known. All of them live in Nidra Sakina area of Taltoli upazila of Barguna district.

Several teams of local fishermen are searching the sea to rescue the two missing fishermen Kalam and Shaheed. However, the rescue operation is gaining momentum as the sea conditions are still rough.

Meanwhile, the families of the missing fishermen are in extreme anxiety and tears. The sky and air in the coastal areas including the Alipur-Mohipur fishing port have become heavy due to the anguished cries of their relatives.

The fishermen claim that the Coast Guard and the Navy need to intervene quickly to rescue the missing Kalam and Shaheed.

Meanwhile, sources from the Alipur-Mohipur fishing port and fishermen have informed that many trawlers have sunk while fishing in the sea in the adverse weather conditions. No one can say for sure what the fate of the fishermen on these trawlers is. However, it is not yet known how many trawlers have sunk.

A source from the Kuakata coast fishermen said that there are several bodies floating in the sea. It will take time to come to the shore. In the meantime, one half-melted body was recovered from the Gangamati area of Kuakata beach.

Officer-in-charge of Mahipur Police Station Md. Shamim Howlader said that no one has filed a GD with the police station so far regarding the sinking of the trawler or the disappearance of the fishermen. However, we are investigating the matter. If the families of the missing or the owners of the trawlers contact us, all necessary steps including legal assistance will be taken, he said.

Kalapara Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Apu Saha said that the Coast Guard is conducting an operation to rescue the missing fishermen.

Kalapara Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Arifuzzan said that many fishing trawlers have sunk in the sea since yesterday. Many fishermen have been rescued, some fishermen are missing. The Coast Guard is searching for them at sea. We are in constant contact with the Coast Guard. - Gofran Palash