Trawler capsizes in Meghna: 4 including policeman still missing

Four people, including a police officer and two Rohingya refugees, remain missing after a trawler carrying 39 passengers capsized in the Meghna River near Hatiya upazila of Noakhali on Saturday afternoon.

Anik Kumar Nandi, a firefighter from the Subarnachar Fire Service Office, confirmed the ongoing search and rescue efforts on Sunday morning (June 1).

According to Hatiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) AKM Ajmal Huda, the trawler departed from Bhasanchar en route to Ali Bazar Ghat in Harani Union. Onboard were three policemen, four Ansar members, NGO workers, and patients from the Rohingya camp.

The vessel encountered trouble around 3.00pm after hitting a submerged reef near Karim Bazar Ghat, approximately 7–8 kilometers from Bhasanchar. The impact ruptured the bottom of the trawler, causing it to sink.

Nearby fishermen responded immediately, rescuing several passengers and recovering one body. Fire service, police, naval police, and Youth Red Crescent teams later joined the rescue operation.

So far, 34 individuals have been rescued alive, including two policemen. Among the survivors, a Rohingya woman remains in critical condition at the Subarnachar Upazila Health Complex. Eight others, including a sub-inspector, a constable, a senior staff nurse, and four Rohingya nationals, have been admitted to the 250-bed Noakhali General Hospital.

Dr Md Mostafizur Rahman from the hospital’s emergency department said that most of the admitted patients suffered chest pain due to near-drowning. While their conditions are stable, senior staff nurse Farzana Binte Momin required oxygen treatment due to water accumulation in her lungs.

Md Farhad, one of the rescued police officers, recounted the harrowing experience: “Our trawler was new, and the boatman was experienced. We were close to the pier when we got stuck in a char. After a few jolts, water started pouring in, and a large wave overturned the boat. We floated in the river for nearly two hours before being rescued. I don’t know what happened to the other missing officer.”

Rescue operations continue as authorities search for the four missing passengers.