16 fishermen feared killed by pirates

April 1, 2013 

Authorities in Bangladesh believe that at least 16 fisherman were killed by pirates after their vessels were raided.

A fishing boat near Kutubdia Island in Cox’s Bazaar resort district came upon the bodies of three fishermen, which were sighted floating in the water by those operating the boat. Other fishermen in the area has sighted at least 13 other bodied floating in the sea.

According to deputy police chief Imran Bhuiyan, “they have recovered three bodies with their hands and feet tied with rope and brought them to shore”

Because the recovered bodies have no visible signs of bodily injuries, officials believe that the pirates tied up the fishermen and simply tossed them overboard. Other local fishermen are aiding in efforts to recover the rest of the bodies.

Pirates likely raided the fishing boats to steal their engines, equipment and catch. The move to kill the fishermen was likely to avoid being tracked down after the fact.

Small-time pirates off the coast of Bangladesh routinely raid and kidnap fishermen in the area, and attempts to curtail the activity by military and maritime forces have so far yielded no results.

The brutality of throwing 16 fishermen into the ocean alive is surprising, however– many are instead kidnapped and ransomed. Last year alone authorities in Bandladesh had rescued 60 fisherman from abduction by pirates.