Fishermen attacked by robbers: One dies at hospital, 5 still missing

A fisherman, who went missing following an attack by a gang of robbers in the Bay early Friday, died at a hospital in Barguna this afternoon, hours after he was rescued.

Abdul Hai, 40, was of Barguna's Sadar upazila, reports our Patuakhali correspondent.

Five fishermen are still missing after they jumped into the water during the attack, said Golam Mostafa Chowdhury, president of Barguna District Fishery Trawler Owners' Association.

Mostafa said fishermen of another trawler fished out four fishermen, including Abdul Hai, from the sea in Taltali area of Barguna around 8:00am today.

They were admitted to Barguna's Patharghata Upazila Health Complex where Abdul Hai died around 4:30pm, said Tuhin Reza, company commander of Rab-8 in Patuakhali.

The rescued fishermen are Qayum Jomaddar, 35, Yashin Jomaddar, 32, and Shafiqul Majhi, 35.

Abul Kalam, 52, Khairul Islam, 40, Abdul Alim, 55, and Farid, 38, are missing.

Talking to reporters at the hospital, Yashin said a group of 25 to 30 robbers attacked their trawler about 80km southeast of Patharghata around 2:30am on Friday.

The robbers hacked 18 fishermen with sharp weapons.

At one stage, nine fishermen jumped into the sea to escape the robbers.

Golam Mostafa this evening said the remaining nine fishermen were found adrift by another trawler. They were brought to Patharghata Upazila Health Complex yesterday evening.

Sanjay Majumder, officer-in-charge of Patharghata Police Station said a case was filed in this connection.