20 fishermen go missing in rough seas

Some 12 fishing trawlers along with 20 fishermen went missing as the Bay was rough yesterday due to inclement weather in Cox's Bazar coastal area, said Cox's Bazar Fishing Boat Owners' Association. 

Noman Hossain, Sadar upazila nirbahi officer, said 100 fishermen of the missing trawlers were rescued, and the body of another fisherman was recovered.

The victim is Abdul Sukkur, 35, of Madhyapara village in Sadar upazila.

Mostaque Ahmed, organising secretary of the association, said they had information that 12 trawlers went missing. Twenty fishermen of those trawlers also unaccounted for.

He said the trawlers sank after being caught up in stormy weather in Moheshkhali Channel, Himchhari and Kalatoli points in the Bay of Bengal around 6:00am.

Aminul Islam Mukul, owner of a fishing trawler, said his trawler sank in Moheshkhali Channel. Twelve fishermen could swim ashore, while five others were missing.

Azirul Hasan, contingent commander of Bangladesh Coast Guard Cox's Bazar zone, said they got information of two fishing boats breaking up at Paschim Kabutar Char in Moheshkhali Channel. Four fishermen were rescued and admitted to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital.

UNO Noman said Deputy Commissioner of Cox's Bazar Kamal Hossain talked to the family of the deceased fisherman and assured the family that the district administration would provide them financial help.

It has been advised to show cautionary signal-3 in Cox's Bazar Sea Port and adjacent areas due to low pressure over the Bay.

In another development, a speedboat carrying passengers overturned due to gusty wind in the Bakkhali river adjacent to Cox's Bazar town. Nine were injured in the incident. The speedboat was heading for Cox's Bazar town from Moheshkhali Gorokghata jetty ghat in the afternoon.

Noman said the authorities concerned had been asked to stop plying of speedboats. Those who would ignore the directive would have to face legal action, he said.