In Noakhali’s coastal island upazila of Hatiya, a fishing trawler sank in the Meghna River after being struck by a bulkhead, resulting in the deaths of two fishermen and injuries to two others. One fisherman remains missing, according to reports.
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Monday on the western side of Sukhchar Union in the Meghna River.
One of the deceased fishermen was identified as Sakib Uddin (17), son of Monir Uddin from Shullukia village in Charking Union. The missing fisherman, Arafat, is the son of Delowar Hossain from Ward No. 8 of Sukhchar Union. The injured, the trawler’s master Afchar and fisherman Rahman, are currently receiving treatment at the Upazila Health Complex.
Local fishermen reported that the trawler was anchored in the river after completing its fishing activities. At around 3:00 AM, while the four fishermen on board were asleep, a bulkhead coming from the south struck the trawler with force, causing it to capsize instantly. Hearing their cries, fishermen from nearby trawlers rushed to the scene and managed to rescue Afchar and Rahman in critical condition. Approximately an hour later, Sakib’s body was found floating in the river. No trace of Arafat has been found so far.
Eyewitness fisherman Jamsed said, “The screams woke me up. I rushed to the scene and saw the trawler had capsized. We managed to pull out Afchar and Rahman, but the bulkhead disappeared into the darkness, and we couldn’t identify it.”
Upon hearing the news, relatives of the deceased and missing fishermen rushed to the riverbank. Some even entered the river in search of their missing loved ones, creating a heart-wrenching scene with their cries.
Nalchira Naval Police Outpost In-Charge Ashish Chandra Saha stated, “We have received the news, and a team is heading to the site. It’s taking some time due to the rain. Legal action will be taken based on complaints from the victims’ families.”
Locals noted that bulkheads and cargo vessels operating on the river at night often move recklessly, without lights or warning signals, leading to frequent accidents. They have demanded a thorough investigation into the trawler sinking and justice for those responsible.
An earlier report indicated that only one fisherman, Sakib Uddin, was confirmed dead, with Arafat listed as missing. This updated article confirms two deaths, with Arafat still missing. For accuracy, further verification from local authorities or updated sources may be required to clarify the status of the second reported death.
