Stranded at Sea: Bangladeshi Fishermen Rescued in India

Thirteen Bangladeshi fishermen were found in India's Srikakulam district after strong winds pushed them off course. Their boat's engine failed, and they survived mostly on water. Alerted by local fishermen, Indian authorities verified their entry into India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and legal procedures are in process.

Thirteen Bangladeshi fishermen were discovered in the Srikakulam district of India after they reportedly floated into Indian territorial waters, a police official confirmed on Monday.

Originating from the Bhola district in Bangladesh, the fishermen reached the Indian coast on Sunday after a mechanical failure disabled their boat's engine at sea. Srikakulam Superintendent of Police K V Maheswara Reddy explained to PTI that the fishermen departed from Dhaka on November 10, intending to fish, but strong winds had pushed them into Indian waters over the last 20 days.

Reddy noted that the fishermen had prepared food for only seven days and survived largely on water. Local fishermen spotted the foreign vessel and alerted police, leading to the confirmation that the boat had trespassed into India's EEZ, a legally defined maritime region necessitating Indian authorization for entry. Authorities have commenced the legal process under the Maritime Zones of India Act, 1981, and have informed Bangladeshi authorities of the situation.

(With inputs from agencies.)