What Happened to the Five Missing Fishermen in the Bay of Bengal?
Synopsis
In a tragic incident, five fishermen are missing after their trawler capsized in the Bay of Bengal following a collision with a Bangladesh Navy vessel. The Indian Coast Guard is conducting a search operation, and the situation highlights the need for an investigation into the incident's circumstances.
Key Takeaways
Five fishermen are missing after their trawler capsized.
The incident involved a collision with a Bangladesh Navy ship .
The Indian Coast Guard is actively searching for the missing fishermen.
Eyewitnesses reported poor visibility due to fog during the collision.
Calls for a thorough investigation have been made by local authorities.
Kolkata, Dec 15 (NationPress) Five fishermen have gone missing after a fishing trawler, carrying a total of 16 crew members, capsized at the Bay of Bengal following an alleged collision with a Bangladesh Navy vessel within Indian waters, as reported by authorities on Monday.
The Indian Coast Guard is currently conducting a search operation to locate the five missing fishermen. However, they have not yet verified if the collision occurred within Indian territory, which would imply that the Bangladesh Navy ship entered Indian waters unlawfully.
Reports indicate that the fishing trawler, named FB-Paramita-11, had embarked on a deep-sea fishing mission on Sunday.
Early on Monday morning, it allegedly collided with the Bangladesh Navy ship.
Fishermen aboard another nearby trawler claimed that visibility was severely limited due to dense fog at the time of the incident.
Thanks to the swift actions of the nearby vessel, 11 of the 16 fishermen from FB-Paramita-11 were rescued.
Sadly, the remaining five fishermen from the capsized trawler remain unaccounted for.
This information came to light when the second trawler returned to shore and informed state authorities.
The Indian Coast Guard was alerted, initiating a search effort along the Bay of Bengal coast to locate the missing individuals.
As of the time of this report, the five fishermen remain untraceable.
While the Indian Coast Guard has not released an official statement, Bijan Maiti, the Assistant Secretary of the West Bengal Fishermen Welfare Association, shared with media that there is no confirmation on whether the fishing trawler crossed into Bangladesh’s maritime border or if the Bangladesh Navy ship intruded into Indian waters.
"If the latter is true, it elevates the seriousness of the situation. We are demanding a comprehensive investigation into this matter," Maiti stated.
Point of View
This unfortunate incident underscores the critical importance of maritime safety and adherence to international boundaries. The potential breach of national waters by foreign vessels necessitates urgent investigation and dialogue to prevent future occurrences. The focus should remain on the well-being of the missing fishermen and their families while ensuring accountability.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the trawler to capsize?
The trawler capsized after allegedly colliding with a Bangladesh Navy ship, although details about the incident are still under investigation.
How many fishermen were involved in the incident?
There were a total of 16 fishermen aboard the trawler, of whom five remain missing.
What actions are being taken to find the missing fishermen?
The Indian Coast Guard has initiated a search operation in the Bay of Bengal to locate the missing fishermen.
Has there been any official statement from the Indian Coast Guard?
As of now, the Indian Coast Guard has not released an official statement regarding the incident.
What has the West Bengal Fishermen Welfare Association said?
The Assistant Secretary, Bijan Maiti, called for a thorough investigation into the incident and clarified the uncertainty about the maritime boundary breach.
