Fishermen’s bodies found 10 days after Meghna boat capsize

Police have recovered the bodies of three fishermen 10 days after an engine-powered fishing boat capsized in the Meghna River.

River Police Inspector Gautam Chandra Mandal confirmed the recoveries of the bodies in Barishal’s Hizla and Mehendiganj on Tuesday morning.

The dead were identified as Shahin Mir, 20, and Nayan Bepari -- both from Palpara in Hizla Upazila. The third is Arif Shikder, 19, who hailed from Bathua village in the Upazila.

Relatives are still looking for the body of Shahin Shikder, 18, who was also a resident of Palpara.

Five fishermen had gone to work on Jan 10 near Lalboya in the Meghna River and fallen asleep after casting a net, said Gautam.

They awoke after the boat started sinking following water entering it through a leak. They tried to swim to the shore, but only one, Shamim Didar, made the journey across the river.

Shamim was rescued by another fishing boat.

Gautam said the others could not make it, perhaps because of intense cold and fog.