15 feared dead in Bay

At least 15 people are feared dead as two Indian fishing trawlers sank in Bangladesh territory of the Bay of Bengal due to inclement weather on Saturday.

Two fishermen were rescued and bodies of five others recovered as of yesterday afternoon.

The two boats -- FV Prasenjit and FV Mahagouri -- were reported to have been carrying 17 fishermen.

One of the rescued fishermen was identified as Hari Komol Das, 29. Local fishermen rescued him while he was floating with a drum in the Bay in Kuakata area yesterday morning.

Bangladesh Navy, Coast Guard and a ship of Indian Coast Guard have been conducting a rescue operation in the area but could not advance smoothly because of rough weather.

A helicopter of Bangladesh Navy, rescue ships BNS Sangu, BNS Birshrestha Ruhul Amin, Coast Guard, four high-speed boats and a patrol boat of the Indian Coast Guard have joined the rescue operation.

FV Mahagouri sank after being caught in the rough sea about 30 nautical miles off Hiron Point near the Sundarbans in the Bay, said an official of the Naval Base BNS Titumir asking not to be identified.

The Indian mission on Saturday afternoon informed Bangladesh Navy that two Indian fishing trawlers were missing at the point.

Rescue operation was going on as of last night.