A fishing trawler carrying 10 fishermen from Rangabali, Patuakhali, sank in the Bay of Bengal after being caught in strong winds and rough waves while fishing in the deep sea.
Seven fishermen were rescued alive shortly after the accident, while three others remained missing. After reportedly spending nearly three hours swimming and staying afloat in the sea, the remaining three were also rescued alive.
The Coast Guard Rangabali Outpost confirmed the incident at around 4 p.m. on Monday.
The accident occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m. near the Hayer area of the Bay of Bengal.
The owner of the sunken trawler, Sohel Mir, from Madhya Chalitabunia village in Chalitabunia Union of Rangabali Upazila, said the vessel had left the Koralya area of Rangabali three days earlier with 10 fishermen on board to catch fish in the sea.
When the weather deteriorated on Monday, the fishermen began returning toward shore. While passing through an area near Hayer in the sea, strong winds and powerful waves put heavy pressure on the trawler, causing its hull to crack. The vessel eventually sank.
Immediately after the accident, fishermen aboard another nearby fishing trawler rescued seven of the men. The other three were swept away and went missing.
After remaining afloat and swimming for nearly three hours, the three missing fishermen were eventually located and rescued alive with assistance from another fishing trawler.
The rescued fishermen were identified as Abdur Khan, 45; Md. Sohel, 35; Md. Monir, 36; Mehdi, 22; Riyan, 20; Masum Mir, 25; Farid, 25; Md. Mostafa, 45; Md. Majnu, 38; and Md. Sakil, 35.
Rangabali Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nazmul Hasan and Rangabali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Jasim Uddin said they had received reports of the trawler sinking with 10 fishermen aboard.
They said seven fishermen were rescued immediately with the help of another trawler. A search operation was subsequently conducted, and the three missing fishermen were also found and rescued alive.
