Five Fishermen Missing as Trawler Sinks in Rough Bay of Bengal

Five fishermen remain missing after a fishing trawler carrying 13 people sank in rough waters off the Patharghata coast of Barguna on Monday afternoon.The trawler, FB Barkat, went down in the deep sea, around 60 kilometres from Kuakata, amid strong winds and heavy waves. Eight fishermen were rescued alive by another fishing trawler that was passing near the area.The missing fishermen have been identified as Nur Alam, 37, Kawsar, 30, Saikul, 33, Ibrahim, 28, and Bellal, 22. All of them are residents of different areas under Patharghata Sadar Union.The trawler is owned by Ashraf Company of Patharghata. All 13 fishermen on board were also from Patharghata Sadar Union.Recalling the incident, rescued fisherman and trawler cook Yunus Molla said the sea was extremely rough when the accident occurred.Several fishermen had gone inside the trawler’s bridge to rest after becoming tired while preparing to cast the fishing nets. At one point, a large wave struck the trawler, causing it to overturn, he said.One of the fishermen trapped inside the bridge managed to get out after around 20 minutes, Yunus added.After the trawler sank, eight fishermen remained in the sea for nearly two hours before another fishing trawler spotted and rescued them. However, the five others could not be found at the time.Golam Mostofa Chowdhury, president of the district trawler owners’ association, said FB Barkat had left Patharghata two days earlier for deep-sea fishing.“It sank after being caught in bad weather and huge waves on Monday,” he said.He said a fishing trawler has been sent to the sea by the district fishermen’s trawler owners’ association to search for the five missing fishermen.The search and rescue operation is continuing.