Engine fails in deep sea, 19 fishermen rescued alive

The Bangladesh Coast Guard has rescued 19 fishermen alive from a fishing boat that had been adrift for two days after its engine failed in the deep sea.

The Coast Guard confirmed the rescue in a press release on Wednesday, July 15.

According to the statement, the fishing boat 'FB Ma-2' departed from Hatiya on July 8 with 19 fishermen onboard for fishing in the deep sea. On July 13, the boat's engine malfunctioned, leaving it adrift at sea. As the boat was outside mobile network coverage, the fishermen were unable to communicate with anyone.

Two days later, around 10:00 am on Wednesday, the boat came within mobile network range and one of the fishermen informed the Coast Guard. Upon receiving the news, Coast Guard Station Bhasanchar and the vessel BCGS Kutubdia, deployed under Operation 'Suraksha', launched a joint rescue operation.

The fishermen were safely rescued along with the disabled fishing boat from the deep sea area west of Norman's Point in Chattogram.

Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan said the rescued fishermen have been given first aid and necessary food. The process of handing them over to their owners, along with the fishing boat, is underway.