Over 60 fishermen missing in Bay of Bengal

Over 60 fishermen aboard several fishing trawlers continue to be missing in the Bay of Bengal even as the Coast Guard on Wednesday rescued five boats that went missing a day earlier, a West Bengal minister said.

"While at least eight trawlers were reported missing that left from Kakdwip in (South 24 Parganas) on Tuesday, reports of more missing trawlers that left from Digha (East Midnapore) and other places have come," state Fisheries Minister Chandranath Sinha said.

"So far at least 60-70 fishermen are said to be in those missing trawlers. The Coast Guard is carrying out rescue and search operations."

The Coast Guard which pressed two of its ships and an aircraft to look for the missing trawlers, rescued five of them.

"Out of eight fishing boats, four have returned safely, while another which was stranded due to engine failure was towed to Sagar Island."

"Search of the remaining boats is continuing," said a Coast Guard official.

Rough sea conditions due to prevailing depression along the Bengal coast hampered the rescue operations.

--IANS

and/ssp/rn