Cyclone sitrang: 23 fishermen return home after being rescued in Bay

Twenty-three Bangladeshi fishermen, who were rescued by Indian Coast Guard after their trawler sank in the Bay during Cyclone Sitrang, have been handed over to their families.

Lt Commander Khandaker Munif Taqi, media officer of Bangladesh Coast Guard, said the handover took place on Thursday.

Due to bad weather caused by the cyclone on Monday, a technical glitch developed in the trawler's engine and at one stage, the trawler sank in the Bay of Bengal during the storm, the official said.

During that time, the 23 fishermen, holding drums and other objects, were floating in the sea.

A team of Indian Coast Guard while patrolling the area by an aircraft saw them and immediately provided them a life raft which helped the victims to stay afloat. The fishermen were rescued on Tuesday by an Indian Coast Guard ship.