Two fishermen have died and two others remain missing after a fishing trawler capsized in the Bay of Bengal near Nazirartek in Cox’s Bazar early Thursday.
The deceased have been identified as Foyez Ahmed and Saiful Islam. The missing fishermen are Nurul Alam and Muhib Ullah. All four were residents of Maheshkhali upazila in Cox’s Bazar.
According to local residents, the fishing trawler, owned by Faridul Alam of Kutubjom area in Maheshkhali, left for the sea on Tuesday night carrying several fishermen. The crew had gone out to catch fish in the Bay of Bengal.
At around 4am on Thursday, the trawler was near the Nazirartek coast when it was caught in a storm. The vessel lost balance and capsized, throwing the fishermen into the sea.
Local fishermen later joined the rescue effort and recovered the bodies of Foyez Ahmed and Saiful Islam. Efforts are continuing to locate Nurul Alam and Muhib Ullah, although there was no immediate confirmation of their condition.
The exact number of fishermen aboard the trawler at the time of the accident was not immediately known. As a result, authorities and local residents have yet to establish the full scale of the incident.
Fishing vessels operating in the Bay of Bengal face considerable risks during sudden changes in weather, particularly when strong winds and rough seas develop with little warning. Fishermen working from coastal communities such as Maheshkhali frequently depend on the sea for their livelihoods, making weather conditions a critical factor in fishing operations.
The latest incident has once again highlighted the dangers faced by fishermen working in offshore waters. For families in coastal areas, a fishing trip can involve prolonged periods at sea and exposure to rapidly changing conditions.
Local fishermen are continuing the search for the two missing men. Further details about the accident, including the total number of people aboard the trawler and the circumstances surrounding the capsizing, are expected to become clearer once the rescue operation and initial assessment are completed.
