Trawler capsize in Munshiganj: Rescue operation continues

The rescue operation for the 20 workers, who went missing after a soil-laden trawler capsized in the Meghna River in Munshiganj, has rolled into the fourth consecutive day.

“The search to rescue the trawler and missing workers continued. However, trawler and workers have not yet been found,” said Munshiganj District Commissioner Shaila Farzana.

Members of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), Fire Service, River Police and Bangladesh Coast Guard are trying to locate the trawler with the help of side-scan sonar system.

The trawler, carrying 34 workers from Cumilla, sank in the river at Charjhapta in Munshiganj Sadar upazila around 3am on Tuesday after it collided with an oil-laden tanker while heading towards Fatulla in Narayanganj, report bdnews24.com and UNB.

Although 14 workers managed to swim ashore, the rest went missing. All the workers hail from Pabna and Sirajganj districts.

Of the missing, as many as 17 workers hailed from Bhangura Upazila’s Khanmarich Union in Pabna.

Members of the Navy, Fire Service, and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) were trying to trace the trawler using the sonar system.

Although the rescue teams found the image of a trawler-like metal object in the riverbed in the solar, it was not sure whether it was the sunken trawler, said BIWTA Chairman Commodore Mozammel Haque from the spot.

Meanwhile, the air of the riverbank became heavier with the wails of the relatives of the missing workers who were desperately looking for their loved ones.

The relatives thronged the riverbank for news on the fate of the trawler capsize victims.

A nine-member probe body headed by Additional District magistrate Mobassherul Islam was formed to investigate the capsize incident.