Bay of Bengal Trawler Tragedy: PM Modi Announces ₹2 Lakh Aid, 9 Fishermen Dead, 6 Missing
Nine fishermen from West Bengal lost their lives after the Jai Maa Kali trawler capsized in the Bay of Bengal during a fishing expedition. Six fishermen are still missing as Coast Guard helicopters and rescue teams continue search operations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced financial assistance for the victims' families, while the West Bengal government intensified relief measures and DNA identification of the recovered bodies.
July 13, 2026: A tragic trawler accident in the Bay of Bengal has claimed the lives of nine fishermen from West Bengal, while six others remain missing. The ill-fated trawler, Jai Maa Kali, had set sail from Shankarpur in Purba Medinipur on a seven-day fishing expedition before it reportedly capsized at sea. The vessel was later recovered near Bakkhali in South 24 Parganas on Sunday, prompting an extensive search and rescue operation involving multiple agencies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and announced financial assistance for the victims' families from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
Expressing his condolences on Monday, the Prime Minister said, "The loss of lives in the trawler capsize in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray that those injured recover at the earliest."
He further announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased fishermen from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. Additionally, ₹50,000 will be provided to each injured person.
Following the incident, state authorities also swung into action. Upon receiving reports of the tragedy, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee directed officials to take immediate and necessary steps to assist the affected families and intensify the ongoing rescue efforts.
পশ্চিমবঙ্গের দক্ষিণ ২৪ পরগনা জেলায় নৌকাডুবিতে প্রাণহানির ঘটনা অত্যন্ত বেদনাদায়ক। শোকসন্তপ্ত পরিবারগুলিকে জানাই সমবেদনা। আহতদের দ্রুত আরোগ্য কামনা করি।
প্রধানমন্ত্রীর জাতীয় ত্রাণ তহবিল থেকে প্রত্যেক মৃতের নিকটাত্মীয়কে ২ লক্ষ টাকা অনুদান দেওয়া হবে। আহতদের দেওয়া হবে ৫০,০০০…
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 13, 2026
Rescue Operation Intensified as Search for Missing Fishermen Continues
West Bengal Fisheries Minister Rajesh Mahato visited Kakdwip on Monday afternoon and met the families of the deceased and the missing fishermen. Calling the incident "deeply unfortunate," the minister assured the affected families that the state government would provide compensation without delay and extend every possible support during this difficult time.
Minister of State for Sundarbans Development Dipankar Jana reached the affected area on Sunday night. He visited Sitarampur under the Govardhanpur Coastal Police Station in Patharpratima and monitored the search operation throughout the night. Speaking to reporters, the minister said that he had already briefed the Chief Minister on the entire situation and that discussions regarding the next course of action were underway.
The rescue and search operation is being carried out on a war footing with the coordinated efforts of the Kakdwip Sub-Divisional Administration, the Sundarbans Police District, personnel from the Govardhanpur Coastal Police Station, officials of the Forest Department, forest workers, and members of various fishermen's organisations. Representatives of the fishermen's associations, including Bijan Maiti, Satinath Patra, and several others, are actively participating in the ongoing operation.
Meanwhile, the bodies of the nine fishermen recovered from the accident-hit Jai Maa Kali trawler were taken to the Kakdwip Hospital morgue for post-mortem examination. However, officials stated that the bodies could not be identified immediately as they had been severely mutilated due to the accident and prolonged exposure to the sea.
Authorities have therefore begun collecting DNA samples from the bodies, which will be sent for forensic testing to establish their identities. The bodies will be handed over to their respective families only after the identification process is completed. Until then, arrangements have been made to preserve the bodies at the hospital mortuary.
The tragedy has left the families of the deceased and the missing fishermen devastated. Relatives who gathered at the hospital and the accident site continue to wait anxiously for confirmation regarding the identities of their loved ones, while many still cling to hope that the missing fishermen may yet be found.
Bijan Maiti, co-editor of the West Bengal United Fishermen Welfare Association, said there was virtually no possibility of finding any additional bodies inside the recovered trawler. According to him, the six missing fishermen are believed to have been swept away by the turbulent sea after the vessel capsized.
The search for the missing fishermen remains underway. Indian Coast Guard helicopters are conducting continuous aerial surveillance over the Bay of Bengal, while trawlers belonging to local fishermen's organisations are combing the surrounding waters in an intensive effort to locate the missing crew members. Rescue teams remain on high alert as authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
