The fate of 18 fishermen, who had set out to the Bay of Bengal on a fishing trawler from Patuakhali’s Mahipur, 22 days ago, is still unknown.
They are yet to return amid anxious wait of family members.
On December 9, the fishing trawler “FB Al-Hasan” went deep into the sea from the Mahipur fishing port.
None of them could make any contact with the trawler owner or their relatives. The president of Kuakata Alipur Fish Wholesaler Cooperative Society, Ansar Uddin Molla,
Said, his association has taken up the matter with Bangladesh Coast Guard and Bangladesh Navy. “We’ve requested them to ensure the search for the missing fishermen,” he said.
A general diary (GD) has been filed about 18 fishermen who went missing from the Bay of Bengal at Mahipur police station. Cops are conducting inquiry, a police official said.
According to Md Nasir, son of Nazrul, one of the 18 missing boatmen, said family members are fearing that due to the damage of the trawler’s engine in the middle of the ocean.
Another family member said the boat might have drifted to neighbouring countries.
He also feared that the trawler might have been captured by pirates.