Eight Fishermen Rescued Alive After Drifting at Sea for Six Days

SUNDARBANS, Bangladesh — September 25, 2026 — Eight fishermen were rescued alive after their fishing boat drifted in the deep sea for six days when its engine failed, Bangladesh Coast Guard officials said.

Engine Failure Leaves Boat Adrift

The fishermen were fishing about 11 nautical miles south of Kokilmoni in the Sundarbans on September 19 when the boat’s engine stopped working. The vessel was left drifting at sea with no way to return to shore.

The crew remained stranded for several days. On September 24, the boat eventually moved into an area where mobile phone coverage was available, allowing one of the fishermen to contact the boat’s owner.

Emergency Call Leads to Rescue

The fisherman called the owner at around 3 p.m. and reported that the crew had been stranded at sea. The owner immediately contacted the Bangladesh Coast Guard’s West Zone for help.

A rescue team from Coast Guard Station Kokilmoni was sent to the area. The team located the disabled fishing boat and successfully rescued all eight fishermen alive along with their vessel.

Fishermen Receive Medical Care

After being brought to safety, the fishermen were provided with basic medical treatment and food. Authorities said arrangements were then being made to return the fishermen and their boat to the owner.

Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon, media officer for the Bangladesh Coast Guard, confirmed the rescue and said the service would continue emergency operations to assist people facing danger at sea.

The six-day ordeal ended with all eight crew members found alive, after their chance to contact the shore depended on the disabled boat moving back into mobile-network coverage.

Sources: TBS News; Bangladesh Coast Guard