Over 60 passengers returning home for Eid were rescued from a drifting trawler in the middle of the Meghna River after the vessel’s engine failed on Friday morning.
A swift response by the Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) prevented a potentially serious incident.
According to Lieutenant Commander Harun-ur-Rashid, media officer of the Coast Guard South Zone, the incident occurred around 11am near the Majher Char area.
A trawler, which was illegally transporting passengers from Lakshmipur to Bhola’s Ilisha terminal, broke down mid-river with 60 passengers on board.
One passenger managed to alert the BCG. In response, a rescue team was immediately dispatched to the location.
The team successfully rescued all 60 passengers along with two boatmen—bringing the total number of people rescued to 62—and transported them safely to the Ilisha terminal.
Following the rescue, the trawler and its operators were handed over to the Ilisha River Police for further legal action due to their involvement in unauthorized passenger transport.
Harun-ur-Rashid also mentioned that the BCG continues to conduct regular patrols to ensure the safety of coastal and riverine communities.
Additionally, in preparation for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, the BCG is actively working to maintain security and law and order on the waterways and will continue these efforts in the days ahead.
