A nameless fishing trawler sank due to rough waves in the southern Bay of Bengal near Kuakata, Patuakhali at around 9 PM on Sunday, approximately 10 kilometers south of Kuakata in the sea.
The nine fishermen on board clung to water containers and fishing net floats, floating for 11 hours. They were rescued alive on Monday morning around 8 AM from the Kachikhali area of Patharghata upazila in Barguna district. The trawler’s owner is Khokon Hawladar from Lalua’s Merauapara housing.
Jumman Hawladar, Khokon’s uncle, said that due to turbulent seas, the fishermen stopped fishing and were returning to shore on Sunday night. On the way, the trawler got stuck on a submerged sandbar. Shortly after, it sank due to the impact of waves. The fishermen floated in the sea to survive.
Jumman Hawladar further stated that upon receiving the news, they launched a rescue operation with another boat on Monday morning. The rescued fishermen include the trawler owner Khokon, and fishermen Miraj, Enamul, Masum Pyada, Bellal, Roni, Rajib, Shiblul, and Shubho, as per initial information. He confirmed that all have safely returned home.
Local fishermen reported that due to the currently turbulent sea, most trawlers from Alipur, Mohipur, and surrounding areas have stopped fishing and are taking shelter in rivers and tributaries.
When asked about the incident, Lalua Union Parishad Chairman Shawkat Hossain Biswas said that all the rescued fishermen have returned home safely but are currently somewhat unwell.
Kuakata Naval Police Outpost In-Charge Bikash Mondal said, “I learned about the incident through you.”
