Trawler with 15 Indian fishermen goes missing in Bay of Bengal amid rough weather

The trawler, 'Maa Kali,' went missing with 15 fishermen on board after setting sail from a harbour in West Bengal on July 2. The vessel is believed to have encountered turbulent sea conditions triggered by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal.

In Short

• The trawler left a harbour in Bengal on July 2 for deep-sea fishing expedition
• Vessel's disappearance attributed to low-pressure system over Bay of Bengal
• Helicopters, other resources deployed to locate the missing trawler and its crew

An Indian fishing trawler carrying a crew of 15 fishermen went missing in the Bay of Bengal amid rough weather, prompting authorities to initiate a major rescue operation.

Among the missing are three fishermen from Odisha, while the remaining 12 are residents of West Bengal.

According to available information, the trawler, named "Maa Kali," sailed from the Shankarpur Fishing Harbour in West Bengal on July 2 for a deep-sea fishing expedition.

The vessel is believed to have encountered turbulent sea conditions and high waves triggered by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal before losing contact with land.

The three missing fishermen from Odisha have been identified as Rabindra Majhi, Jagannath Majhi and Jayaram Majhi, all residents of Baleshwar (formerly Balasore) district.

Following the disappearance of the vessel, the Digha Fishermen and Fish Traders' Association alerted the marine police, after which a search and rescue operation was launched.

Speaking to the media, Swadesh Nayak, Secretary of the Shankarpur Fishermen and Fish Trawlers Association, said the body has appealed to the authorities to intensify rescue efforts.

"The trawler 'Maa Kali,' which is registered with our association, went into the sea on July 2 with 15 fishermen on board. Since then, there has been no trace of the vessel or the crew. We have informed MP Soumendu Adhikari, the local MLA, various police stations, Digha Coastal Police and Mandarmani Coastal Police," he said.

Nayak added, "We appeal to the authorities to expedite the search operation and deploy the Navy and helicopters to locate the missing fishermen. Their families are devastated and anxiously waiting for their safe return."

Authorities have stepped up the search operation in the Bay of Bengal, deploying helicopters and other rescue resources to trace the missing vessel and its crew.

No official confirmation has been issued regarding their safety.

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