11 Fishermen Missing As Another Trawler Sinks in Bay

At least 11 fishermen went missing in the Bay of Bengal Friday after another fishing boat carrying them capsized due to rough weather near Nazirartek Channel in Cox's Bazar, according to the Bangladesh Coast Guard, reports UNB.

Nineteen fishermen boarded the boat that got caught in a ferocious storm around 1:00 pm and at least 8 of them were rescued by the Coast Guard members, said Jane Alam Putu, President of the Fish Traders Association.

The missing fishermen had gone into the Bay of Bengal in the fishing boat 'FB-Mayer Doa' to bait and catch fish for their businesses.

"A search and rescue operation is underway for the missing fishermen," BCG added.

However, the identities of the missing men could not be confirmed.

Earlier, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) advised the maritime ports, including Payra, to hoist the local cautionary signal three to alert vessels of a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal.

A depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining area has moved west-northwestward and intensified into a deep depression.

At 12:00pm, the depression was cantered over northwest Bay and adjoining Bangladesh and India's West Bengal. It is likely to intensify further and move more northwestward.

The BMD advised all fishing boats in the northern Bay of Bengal and deep sea to take shelter immediately.