A fishing trawler carrying some New Zealand nationals, all members of the same family, split into two after being hit by a large wave in the Bay of Bengal near Cox’s Bazar on Tuesday.

Local fishermen rescued three people alive, but a child went missing after the accident.

The accident took place at about 12:00pm at the Nazirartek Channel in Cox’s Bazar.

Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model police officer-in-charge Sheikh Mohammad Ali confirmed the incident to New Age.

He said, ‘Three members of a New Zealand family were rescued after the trawler sank in the Bay of Bengal in Cox’s Bazar, while a child went missing. The rescue operation for the child is continuing.’

According to local people and fire service sources, the family had been travelling in Cox’s Bazar and nearby areas for the past few days.

They went to the sea by a fishing trawler on Tuesday. The trawler split into two after being hit by a large wave in the rough sea.

After the accident, local fishermen rushed to the spot rescued two men and a woman alive; but a child fell into the water and went missing.

On receiving the news, a team of Cox’s Bazar Fire Service went to the spot and began a rescue operation. Fire Service members are working with local fishermen to find the missing child.

Fire service senior station officer Dolon Acharya said a special team reached the spot soon after receiving information about the accident and started the rescue operation.

‘The search for the missing child is continuing,’ he said.

‘The rescued people are receiving initial treatment. Police are trying to determine their identities and the details of the accident,’ said OC Mohammad Ali.