Over 20 fishermen missing in Bay of Bengal

Kolkata, Aug 9 (IANS) At least three trawlers carrying over 20 fishermen went missing in the Bay of Bengal near Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal on Tuesday, an official of the Fishermen Association said.

"At least 21 fishermen are there in the three trawlers that have gone missing. Rescue operations have been launched but we have been hampered because of the inclement weather," West Bengal United Fishermen Association, Secretary Joykrishna Haldar said.

However, state Fisheries Minister Chandranath Sinha claimed that only one trawler was missing.

"So far we have got confirmed reports of only trawler named Jhor (storm) missing with only 3-4 fishermen on board. The Coast Guard has been requested to carry a search and rescue operation," said Sinha.