More than 100 fishermen feared drowned in Bangladesh

Dhaka, Sep 22 (UNI) More than 100 fishermen, aboard 12 trawlers, were feared drowned in Bangladesh's southern coastal districts following turbulent weather in the Bay of Bengal for the last three days.

Trawler Owners Association Advisor Golam Mostafa Chowdhury told reporters here that about 1200 fishermen with 100 trawlers had been missing since Thursday evening.

''We have traced 30 out of 100 missing trawlers. But, the fate of more than 800 fishermen and 70 trawlers could not be known.

The missing fishermen hail from coastal districts of Bagerhat, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola and Pirojpur,'' he added.

Coastguards searching for missing fishermen rescued nine fishermen in Bagerhat district.

Meanwhile, a depression intensified over northwest Bay and adjoining areas, prompting the Met office to advise Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and Mongla seaports to hoist warning signals.

UNI