Fisherman Killed in Collision with Coal-Laden Vessel in the Sundarbans

Printed On: Oct 3, 2026 || Published On: Oct 3, 2026

Fisherman Killed in Collision with Coal-Laden Vessel in the Sundarbans

Princh Mondal Olif, Bagerhat District correspondent:

The body of a fisherman who went missing after his boat was reportedly struck by a coal-laden lighter vessel in the Sundarbans was recovered on Saturday, a day after the incident.

The deceased, identified as Mostafa Majhi, was a resident of Shoyna village in Kaukhali upazila of Pirojpur district. His body was recovered by river police around noon near the confluence of the Charaputia and Bhadra rivers in the Chandpai Range of the eastern Sundarbans.

Two other fishermen, Shukur Amin and Sanaullah Sani, who were with Mostafa at the time of the incident, survived by swimming to the riverbank.

According to the fishermen, the incident occurred around noon on Friday near the Chaola Bogi area when a coal-laden lighter vessel struck their fishing boat, damaging it and throwing Mostafa into the river. He subsequently went missing.

River police and local residents launched a search operation following the incident. His body was recovered the following day.

The surviving fishermen alleged that the lighter vessel was travelling at high speed and left the scene without stopping after the collision. However, the identity of the vessel and the exact circumstances of the incident have yet to be confirmed.

Moktaruzzaman, officer-in-charge of the Chandpai River Police Outpost, said legal procedures were underway following the recovery of the body. Police were trying to identify the vessel allegedly responsible for the incident and the people involved.

The incident has raised concerns over the safety of small fishing boats navigating the Sundarbans' waterways, which are also used by large commercial vessels. Local fishermen say smaller boats face risks, particularly in narrow channels and near river confluences.

They have called for closer monitoring of commercial vessels, enforcement of speed limits and safe navigation practices, and prompt identification of vessels involved in accidents.

The circumstances surrounding Mostafa's death, including the identity of the vessel and whether any navigation rules were violated, remain to be established through investigation.