Trawler tragedy toll touches 62 in Sundarbans Area

The death toll in Saturday’s trawler capsize in West Bengal rose to 62 on Monday, state Sundarbans Development Minister Kanti Ganguly said.

Search operations for the missing in the trawler capsize near Ghoramara island in the Sundarbans area were affected by a low pressure on the Bay of Bengal, the minister said.

Rescuers, who fished out 21 bodies on Monday, said there was a very thin chance of locating all the missing persons as low pressure and swelling waters made the search operation difficult.

Different rescue teams had, however, varying versions on the exact toll.

Rescue experts on inflated rubber boats moved around the sea and skimmed through to find if any floating object was visible.

Divers from Indian Navy and Coast Guard from Andhra Pradesh also arrived to assist the local search parties.

Ocean expert Kalyan Rudra said many people drowned in the water may remain missing forever.

According to unconfirmed reports, the number of missing could be more than 100.

The trawler on way to Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas from Hijli Sharif in East Midnapore was carrying between 150 and 200 people, mostly pilgrims, when it capsized around 11 am on Saturday reportedly under the impact of the wash of a big passing ship.

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee who rushed to the area on Sunday night from Bankura, offered assistance from the Indian Railways in the search operation and announced compensation to the families of the victims.

Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had visited the scene and instructed the authorities to continue the search operation on war footing.

The state Government has announced Rs. two lakh each for the families of those drowned.