One dead, five missing after trawler capsizes in Meghna river off Hatia

A rescued police officer says the passengers stayed afloat in the river for almost two hours after the incident

A man has been found dead after a trawler capsized in the Meghna River near Hatia, an island Upazila in Noakhali, on Saturday afternoon.

Five people remain missing, including a police officer, an Ansar member, three women, and a child.

The trawler was carrying passengers returning from Bhasan Char.

A total of 34 survivors are currently receiving treatment at Noakhali General Hospital and Subarnachar Upazila Health Complex.

Jobair Hossain, divisional head of the Noakhali Red Crescent Youth, identified the deceased as Gias Uddin, approximately 45 years old. Authorities believe he was employed by the Bangladesh Post Office.

Rescue operations were suspended for the night around 7:45pm, according to Hossain. The effort involved both Fire Service personnel and Red Crescent Youth volunteers.

Subarnachar Fire Service officer Ariful Islam also confirmed the suspension of the day’s search activities.

The passenger trawler tipped over in the Meghna River of Hatia owing to strong winds and waves.

The vessel set out from Bhasan Char carrying 39 people, including three police officers, an Ansar member, a Rohingya patient, and employees from a private development organisation.

Hatia Police Station chief AKM Azmal Huda said the vessel sank near Harni Union’s Dubarchar in the afternoon.

The Navy, Coast Guard, and river police subsequently began rescue operations after the incident.

Citing the rescued people, police reported that the trawler had left Bhasan Char around 2pm, heading towards Ali Bazar Ghat in Harni Union and descended about 7-8km from Bhasan Char.

The Meghna River had been rough due to a deep depression formed over the Bay of Bengal, cutting off river links with Hatia for four consecutive days.

As a result, Hatia remained almost isolated from the rest of Bangladesh.

The river transport services from Hatia to Noakhali resumed on Saturday morning. It typically takes about an hour and 15 minutes to travel from Noakhali’s mainland to Hatia by waterways.

According to OC Azmal, the trawler capsized after cracks developed in its base. Fishermen from nearby trawlers rushed to the scene, rescuing several passengers and recovering at least one body.

Members of the Fire Service and Red Crescent Youth later joined the rescue effort.

By 8pm, a total of 33 people—including two police officers—had been rescued alive.

Azmal added that a Rohingya woman in critical condition was admitted to Subarnachar Upazila Health Complex, while eight others were taken to Noakhali General Hospital for treatment.

Md Farhad, a police officer among the rescued, recounted the incident while receiving treatment at the hospital:

“The trawler was new, and we had nearly reached our destination. But it got stuck in a shallow area. As it tried to move forward, it took a few jolts.

“Suddenly, water began pouring in. Then a strong wave hit us and capsized the vessel. We stayed afloat in the river for nearly two hours before being rescued.”