Storm capsizes honey collectors' boat in Sundarbans; 4 rescued, 4 others missing

A boat carrying honey collectors has recently capsized after being struck by a storm in the western Sundarbans during honey harvesting, with four rescued by the Forest Department while drifting in the river and four others still missing.

The incident occurred late on Monday night (6 April) in the Kachikhata area of the Sundarbans.

The rescued individuals are Sabur Khan, Monirul Islam, Al Mahmud Sheikh, and Yunus Ali. The missing persons are Akbar, son of Amir Molla; Oliur Rahman, son of Wahid Molla; Mekail Hossain, son of Abdur Rahman Gazi; and Ikramul Kabir, son of Ayub Ali—all residents of the Godara area in Shyamnagar upazila.

According to the Forest Department, the boat carrying the honey collectors sank after being struck by a sudden storm amid adverse weather conditions.

The survivors, who had been drifting in the river, reached the Huldibunia forest patrol outpost on Tuesday evening (7 April), where they were rescued by forest officers.

A two-day search operation was conducted with the rescued individuals to locate the missing four, but they have not yet been found, the Forest Department stated.

Fazlul Haque, station officer of Burigoalini Forest Station, said honey collectors have been entering the Sundarbans since 1 April.

"The boat sank after being caught in a storm on Monday night. The rescued individuals are being transported back to the coast by forest officials. The search for the missing four is ongoing", he said.

The incident has been reported to Shyamnagar Police Station, the coast guard, and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and search efforts are continuing.