News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp
Home  » News » 73 killed as B'desh boats capsize

73 killed as B'desh boats capsize

Source: PTI
Last updated on: September 22, 2006 00:35 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
At least 73 people were killed and up to 100 others remained missing after more than 100 fishing boats capsized in a storm in the Bay of Bengal, official sources said on Thursday.

The Coast Guard and civil administration recovered most of the bodies from different points on the coast stretching from Patuakhali to Khulna, the sources said adding adverse weather was hampering rescue work.

Navy official Lieutenant Commander Firoz Kabir also remained missing as the patrol boat, BNS Shaheed Farid, carrying him, overturned in the bay. The storm triggered by low pressure in the bay swept over the southwest coastal areas of Bangladesh. It also razed shanties erected by fishermen in at least 16 villages.

The MeT office said that the low pressure was likely to intensify further and move in the northwesterly direction.

All boats and vessels have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice. Reports from Khulna said the storms also destroyed least 16 fishermen's villages on the coast and Sundarbans.

Coastguards and forest officials rescued at least 130 fishermen from different points.

At least 100 trawlers carrying 1,000 people who were engaged in fishing in deep bay were yet to return to the shore. Attempts to find those missing was hampered by gusty winds and high water level.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: PTI© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.