A fishing boat sank after colliding with a gas-carrying vessel named Jamuna-2 in the Mongla-Ghashiakhali international sea channel on Thursday morning.
Mahidul Sheikh, 25, a fisherman aboard the trawler, went missing following the incident. Mahidul is the son of Abdur Rashid Sheikh from Ulubunia village in Sonailtala union of Mongla upazila.
Local fire service and naval police divers are currently searching the river for the missing fisherman.
Mongla Naval police station Officer-in-Charge Syed Fakrul Islam confirmed the incident.
He said that the accident occurred while the fishermen were fishing in the river at a location called Jaykhan in the naval channel. The boat sank after its rope tangled with the fan of the passing gas vessel.
Of the two fishermen on the boat, Tariqul Sheikh managed to swim to safety, but Mahidul Sheikh remains missing. Efforts are ongoing to identify the gas carrier involved.
Mongla Upazila Parishad Chairman Abu Taher Howladar said that Mahidul Sheikh was catching shrimp fry in the Mongla-Ghashiakhali international sea channel when the incident happened.
“The naval police and fire service were notified and reached the scene around 10:30am to start the rescue operation. While the sunken boat was recovered, Mahidul has not yet been found,” he added.
Mongla police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) KM Azizul Islam said: “I have heard that a fisherman is missing after the boat sank following a collision with an LPG transporter. A search operation is underway. If a written complaint is received, necessary legal action will be taken against the ship after investigation.”
