India hands over 23 Bangladeshi fishermen rescued during Sitrang

Twenty-three Bangladeshi fishermen rescued by Indian Coast Guard members have been handed over to their families.

The fishermen, who were on a fishing trawler "FV Jasmine", were hit by Cyclone Sitrang and entered India crossing Bangladesh's maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal.

Lt Commander Khandaker Munif Taqi, media officer of the Coast Guard headquarters, confirmed this last night (October 27, 2022).

Due to bad weather caused by the cyclone, the trawler's engine faced a technical glitch and at one stage the trawler sank in the bay during the storm, the official said.

During that time, the 23 fishermen, holding drums and floating objects used in fishing, were floating in the sea.

A team of Indian Coast Guard while patrolling the area by an aircraft, saw them and immediately provided a life raft which helped the victims to stay afloat. The fishermen were rescued on October 25, 2022, by the Indian Coast Guard ship ICGS VIJAYA.