2 dead, 2 missing in Noakhali trawler capsize

Two fishermen died and two others went missing after a trawler carrying 16 fishers capsized amid a heavy storm in the Bay of Bengal today (August 19, 2022), police said.

The boat capsized adjacent to Nijhum Dwip in Hatiya upazila of Noakhali district this morning, police said.

The deceased were identified as Mainuddin, of Amtali village in Jahajmara union of the upazila, and Md Raful of Notun Sukhchar village. The missing fishermen are Sharif and Belal, confirmed Inspector (investigation) Kanchhan Kanti Das of Hatiya Police Station.

Local resident Jillur Rahman said a total of 16 fishermen onboard "MB Siraj" fishing boat went to deep sea to catch fish a few days back. They were returning to ghat after the catch on Thursday night.

The trawler was caught in a sudden storm and capsized after arriving in Dhamarchar area adjacent to the Nijhum Dwip around 10am, he said quoting the survivors.

Around 12 fishermen managed to swim to another trawler "MB Yeamin Chowdhury".

Later, sailors from another trawler "Lutfullahil Mujib Nishan" found bodies of the Mainuddin and Raful lying inside the trawler that got struck at the char, the inspector said.

Locals joined police and Coast Guard to conduct a search to find the missing people, he said.