The Bangladesh Navy rescued 16 fishermen along with their fishing boat, FB Al Amin, after it drifted in the Bay of Bengal for about three days following an engine failure. The rescue took place near the Mongla Fairway Buoy on Monday, after naval ship BNS Kopotakkho located the vessel amid high waves and adverse weather.

According to navy sources, BNS Kopotakkho received information during a patrol on Sunday night that a fishing boat was drifting with an inoperative engine. The navy began a rescue operation that night and found the boat the following morning near the Mongla Fairway. Rescued fishermen were given food, safe drinking water and primary medical care.

The fishermen said they had left the Sharankhola area of Bagerhat on August 19 for fishing. Their boat's engine failed two days after going to sea. The navy towed the boat through rough seas to Hiran Point near the Sundarbans and handed over the vessel and all 16 fishermen to the Bangladesh Coast Guard.