Following a harrowing twenty-two-hour search operation, rescue teams have recovered the bodies of five fishermen whose trawler sank in the turbulent waters of the Bay of Bengal. The tragedy struck when the Pathorghata-based fishing vessel, named ‘FB Barkat’, succumbed to adverse weather conditions and ferocious waves off the coast of Barguna.
The incident unfolded on Monday afternoon when the Bay turned exceptionally volatile, unleashing fierce gales and towering waves that battered the small fishing craft. A total of thirteen crew members were aboard the vessel when disaster struck. While quick-thinking local fishermen managed to pull eight survivors from the churning water shortly after the capsize, five others vanished into the deep sea, triggering a desperate race against time.
The owner and skipper of the ill-fated vessel, Badal Molla, confirmed that the bodies were recovered from the deep sea on Tuesday. Another fishing boat has since taken the remains on board and is currently navigating back toward the coast. Due to choppy sea conditions, the journey back to Pathorghata is expected to take roughly three hours.
Recalling the terrifying moments of the ordeal, surviving crew member and cook Younus Molla explained that the crew had been battling severe storms throughout Monday. Following a grueling session preparing their nets, several exhausted men had retreated to the wheelhouse to catch some sleep. Without warning, a colossal wave slammed into the vessel, flipping it completely upside down. Eight survivors managed to stay afloat amidst the raging currents for nearly two hours before finding refuge on a passing fishing boat, but their missing colleagues were tragically trapped below.
The five fishermen who lost their lives have been identified as Nur Alam, 37, Kawser, 30, Saikul, 33, Ibrahim, 28, and Bellal, 22. All of them hailed from various neighborhoods within the Pathorghata Sadar Union, leaving their local communities plunged into deep mourning.
In response to the emergency, the district fishing trawler owners association swiftly dispatched a rescue vessel to comb the area. Their relentless sweep ultimately led to the discovery of the five missing bodies.
Local law enforcement has mobilized to handle the aftermath. Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Abdul Alim of Pathorghata Police Station stated that authorities have been notified of the grim recovery. Police officers are currently stationed at the Badurtola area, awaiting the arrival of the bodies to carry out formal autopsies, legal procedures, and subsequent handover to the grieving families.
