Two Sri Lankan fishermen rescued after 36 days adrift at sea eating raw fish

A group of fishermen from Maheshkhali upazila in Cox's Bazar have rescued two Sri Lankan fishermen who were found floating adrift in the Bay of Bengal. The rescuers claimed the two had survived for 36 days at sea by eating only raw fish.

According to the rescuers, they spotted the two individuals on a fibre trawler floating near the Sonarchar area of the Bay of Bengal on Wednesday. They brought them aboard their fishing boat and took them to Maheshkhali, arriving around 10pm on Thursday.

The rescued individuals are S.H. Chaminda (51) and his son Saunda Hannadigipiyawating (30). Their home is at No. 7, Rural Hospital Road, Devinuwara area in Sri Lanka.

Ziaur Rahman, the boatman who led the rescue operation, told Dhaka Post on Saturday afternoon that the two identified themselves as Sri Lankan citizens, claiming to be father and son. They said they had lost their way at sea many days ago while fishing and had been adrift for 36 days.

Ziaur Rahman said the rescued fishermen told them that they had survived the entire time by catching a large fish and eating it raw. Despite severe shortages of food and clean water, they managed to stay alive, according to the rescuers.

The rescuers also said they have tried to contact family members, and it is known that they had been missing for a long time. However, various aspects of the incident are still being verified.

Maheshkhali Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mojibur Rahman said both are Sri Lankan citizens and are reportedly father and son. However, the details of how they ended up adrift at sea, whether they were truly at sea for 36 days, and other identifying information are being verified.

Police also said authorities are preparing to contact the Sri Lankan authorities regarding the incident.