11 go missing as trawler sinks

A heavy storm in the sea has drowned a fishing trawler in the Bay of Bengal.

The trawler 'FB Maa-2' drowned 200 km south off the Char Fashion Upazila coast, Bhola on Sunday night.

Seven men have been rescued but 11 fishermen are still missing.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mostafizur Rahman said those rescued had been admitted to Doulatkhan Upazila Health Complex.

Deputy Commissioner of Bhola district, Selim Reza said, "Assistance of the Coastguards and navy has been sought to rescue the missing fishermen."

The trawler owner said his son Ismail, 38, is among the missing.

Apart from Ismail, identities of only six other missing fishermen could be ascertained. They are Mati, 50, Abu, 60, Alamgir, 55, Faruque, 35, Russel, 25, and Babul, 40. All of them hail from Doulatkhan Upazila.

Survivors said 'FB Maa-2' with 18 fishermen on board had gone for fishing.

After the dusk, fishermen were casting their nets at a place between Dhal Char and Sonar Char. Suddenly it was caught in a storm and then it sank into the Bay.

Other fishermen from 'FB Maa-1', owned by the same owner, came to their rescue and saved the seven fishermen.

They were admitted to health complex in the morning.

The rescued fishermen are Faruque Majhi, 60, Abdur Rahim, 30, ‘Salem’, 55, ‘Mostofa’, 45, ‘Kalu’, 32, ‘Shahjahan’, 35, and ‘Mostafiz’, 38.