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Six fishermen from Patuakhali remain missing three days after a fishing trawler capsized in the Bay of Bengal during rough weather, officials said on Wednesday.
The incident occurred on Sunday night, around 100–150 kilometres southeast of the Payra seaport, when a trawler carrying 11 crew members was caught in a sudden storm and sank.
Five fishermen were rescued alive, two of whom are currently receiving treatment at Galachipa upazila Health Complex after prolonged exposure and ingestion of seawater.
The missing fishermen have been identified as Forkan Howlader, 45, and his son Saidul Islam, 19, from Gazalia union; Al Amin, 45; Harun Mia, 40, and Emadul, 30, from Panpatti union; and Akash, 22, from Pakshia village in Sadar union.
According to survivors, the trawler overturned amid strong winds at around 10:00pm.
Three crew members who were inside the engine room or cabin could not escape. The others were thrown into the sea, where some clung to parts of the vessel while others floated using fishing buoys.
After drifting for nearly six hours, the survivors were rescued at dawn by another fishing trawler passing through the area.
Galachipa police station Officer-in-Charge Imtiaz Ahmed said a general diary has been filed by the trawler owner’s family, confirming six missing and five rescued.
Senior upazila Fisheries Officer Md Zaherunnabi said two of the rescued fishermen were hospitalised due to dehydration and swallowing seawater.
Galachipa UNO Abuzar Md Ejajul Haque visited the affected families on Tuesday, providing financial assistance of Tk 7,500 and food supplies to each.
He said authorities are maintaining close contact with the victims and have sought assistance from the Coast Guard and Navy to intensify the search operation.
Rescue efforts are ongoing as families anxiously await news of the missing fishermen.