Over 100 Bangladesh fishermen missing in storm

DHAKA, Sep 20 (Reuters) More than 100 Bangladeshi fishermen were missing and feared drowned after a storm in the Bay of Bengal, a local boat owners association said today.

The fishermen were caught in the storm yesterday night, triggered by a depression in the sea.

''As per estimates available from returning fishing crew, we suspect more than 100 fishermen may have drowned,'' said Abdus Sobhan, president of fishing boat owners association in the coastal town of Barisal, 225 km (130 miles) from Dhaka.

The coast guard said it was waiting for the seas to calm down before launching rescue operations.

REUTERS SSC VV1553