At least 14 people have been reported missing after five fishing trawler capsized in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Saint Martin's island in Cox’s Bazar.
The incident took place due to adverse weather conditions around 2pm on Wednesday (Apr 10), said Teknaf Coast Guard Station official Lieutenant Commander Fayezul Islam Mondol citing local fishermen.
Relatives of the missing persons said around a handful of local fishermen went to fish off the coast of Saint Martin's island and Shah Parir Dwip by several trawlers on Wednesday (Apr 10) morning. In the afternoon, the weather turned for the worse with tumultuous waves and gusty winds. Five of the trawlers could not make it back to the coast.
Mohammad Zubair, the owner of the capsized trawlers, said that there were 32 fishermen on the five trawlers and only 18 of them managed to swim ashore; the rest are still missing as of Wednesday evening.
"We have informed over the incident. Details on this matter are being investigated," said the Coast Guard official.