After days of anxious waiting and desperate hope, tragedy unfolded in the Bay of Bengal as the missing trawler Joy Ma Kali was finally located— bringing with it devastating news. Authorities have recovered the bodies of nine fishermen so far, while six others remain missing, with fears that the death toll may rise.
Search and rescue operations are continuing overnight as officials comb through the vessel and surrounding waters. Authorities suspect more bodies may still be trapped inside or near the trawler.
According to Bijan Maity, President of the Kakdwip Fishermen Trawler Owners’ Association, there were 15 fishermen on board. “Nine bodies have been recovered so far, including three from Odisha. We are continuing the search for the remaining six,” he said.
The trawler had set sail from Shankarpur fishing harbour in East Medinipur on July 2 for deep-sea fishing. While communication was maintained for the first few days, all contact was lost after July 5, triggering mounting concern among families. Relatives gathered daily at the harbour, clinging to hope as days passed without any news.
A large-scale search operation was launched involving the Indian Coast Guard, Navy, Forest Department, Sundarban Police, and local fishermen’s associations. Despite rough seas, inclement weather, and the vast search area, efforts continued relentlessly.
The operation intensified from Saturday under the leadership of Chitrak Bhattacharya, Deputy Field Director of the Sundarban Tiger Reserve. On Sunday afternoon, the capsized trawler was located near Bagherchar, close to the Chulkathi forest— around 35 km off the Bakkhali coast in South 24 Parganas.
The damaged vessel was later towed to Sitarampur Ghat in Gobardhanpur, Patharpratima. A search inside the trawler began after dusk. By nightfall, rescuers recovered the body of a fisherman trapped near the engine. As water was pumped out from the vessel, more bodies were discovered one after another — initially five, followed by four more — taking the toll to nine.
Officials say every section of the trawler is being carefully examined as fears persist that additional victims may still be inside. Simultaneously, joint teams are scanning nearby waters in search of the missing fishermen.
Reports indicate that three of the missing are from Odisha, while the others are residents of Shankarpur and nearby areas in East Medinipur. As news of the recovery spread, anxious relatives gathered at Shankarpur, Fraserganj, and Sitarampur. Identification of the recovered bodies is currently underway.
Sundarban Development Minister Dipankar Jana said that rescue operations were launched immediately after the trawler went missing. “The large volume of water inside the vessel has made recovery difficult. Bodies are being retrieved gradually as the water is pumped out. The search for the missing will continue,” he stated.
He added that the state government stands by the affected families and will provide financial assistance, urging that compensation be delivered swiftly.
A pall of grief hangs over Sitarampur Ghat, where families wait in anguish for news of their loved ones. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by fishermen who venture into the unpredictable waters of the Bay of Bengal in search of their livelihood.
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