Bay Of Bengal Fishing Trawler Disaster Claims Nine Lives, Search Continues For Six

Nine decomposed bodies were recovered on Monday from the wreckage of a fishing trawler that went missing off the West Bengal coast in the Bay of Bengal earlier this month, while six fishermen remain unaccounted for, police said. Rescue teams have intensified search operations in the area as authorities continue efforts to trace the missing crew members. According to officials from the Sundarban Police District, the wreckage of the fishing trawler MV Joy Ma Kali was located around five kilometres off the Bagherchar coast in South 24 Parganas. The vessel had gone missing after reportedly encountering rough weather at sea. Police confirmed that nine bodies had been recovered from the damaged trawler and that search operations for the remaining six fishermen were continuing.

"The wreckage of a fishing trawler, MV Joy Ma Kali, was found in the Bay of Bengal about 5 km from the Bagherchar coast in South 24 Parganas. Nine decomposed bodies have been recovered from the wreckage; six fishermen are still missing. A search operation is ongoing," a police officer from the Sundarban district said. According to local residents, the trawler was among several fishing boats that departed from Shankarpur in East Midnapore district on July 2. MV Joy Ma Kali had 15 fishermen on board and was expected to return after a fishing expedition lasting between 10 and 12 days. Family members lost contact with the crew after the vessel reportedly encountered adverse weather conditions in the Bay of Bengal.

On July 3, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a weather advisory warning fishermen against venturing into the sea due to the formation of a low-pressure system over the northwest Bay of Bengal. The weather office predicted rough sea conditions until July 7 and advised those already at sea to return to the coast immediately. The missing trawler is believed to have been caught in the turbulent conditions generated by the weather system. Police said they first received information about the possible location of the vessel on July 10 after local fishermen spotted floating wreckage off the coast of Gobardhanpur. Based on the information, search teams launched an operation in the area, eventually locating the remains of the trawler and recovering the bodies from inside the wreckage.

Also Read: India-Japan Ties Are Set To Grow Stronger Across Security And Trade

The condition of the recovered bodies indicated they had remained in the water for several days. Authorities are carrying out identification procedures before handing over the remains to their families. Police said forensic and medical examinations will be conducted as part of the investigation into the incident. Rescue personnel, with assistance from local fishermen and marine authorities, continue to search nearby waters for the six missing crew members. Boats have been deployed across the surrounding coastline, while officials are monitoring tidal movements and weather conditions that could affect the ongoing operation.

Fishing communities along the West Bengal coast frequently face risks during the monsoon season, when low-pressure systems and cyclonic weather can rapidly create hazardous sea conditions. Authorities routinely issue advisories urging fishermen to avoid venturing into deep waters during such periods, but sudden weather changes continue to pose significant dangers. The recovery of the trawler has brought closure to some grieving families, while others continue to await news of their loved ones. Officials said search operations will continue until all missing fishermen are accounted for, even as investigators work to determine the precise circumstances that led to the vessel's disappearance in the rough waters of the Bay of Bengal.

Also Read: Rescue Operations Continue After Venezuela Twin Earthquakes Leave 4,300 Dead