At least 16 fishermen went missing in the Bay of Bengal early today as a trawler capsized in the sea due to rough weather.

Golam Mostafa Chowdhury, president of Barguna Trawler Owners’ Association, confirmed the incident quoting a rescued fisherman Mahmud, 35, hailing from Noakhali, reports our Patuakhali correspondent.

A total of 17 fishermen on a fishing trawler ‘FB Zakia’ owned by Anwar Hossain went to the Bay some days earlier, said Golam Mostafa.

The trawler capsized in the sea due to rough weather around 3.00am in Purbo Lalboya area, about 120km south of Patharghata upazila under Barguna district, he said.

After the trawler capsized, Mahmud was rescued by another fishing trawler but the other 16 fishermen remain missing till filing of this report this afternoon.   

“We have already sent another trawler in the Bay this noon to search for the missing fishermen, the association’s president added.