The families of 25 fishermen from Barguna's Patharghata upazila, who went missing while fishing at sea, are spending Eid amid despair.

With their sole breadwinners lost to the sea, these grief-stricken families from Ruhita, Padma, Char Lathimara, Jintala, Tengra, South Char Duani, Tafalbari, Gyanpara, and Gabbaria villages are struggling to survive, often going without food for days.

In a constant battle against poverty, Eid celebrations remain a distant dream for them.

On November 17, 2023, the 25 fishermen went missing as Cyclone Midhili struck while they were at sea. Since then, their families have been living amid agony and uncertainty, while still clinging to the hope that their loved ones might return one day.

Raisa Moni, daughter of missing fisherman Kalu Majhi from Ruhita village, said, "Every moment, I long for my father. Sometimes, I wait at the door, hoping he would return. No one can understand the pain we are enduring. My mother has been ill for a long time. Often, we have to pass days with little or no food. Yet, no one checks on us."

Yakub Ali, younger brother of missing fisherman Yusuf, said, "My brother left behind two children. When I look at them, I can't hold back my tears. We looked everywhere possible, but could not find him. We don't even know if he is dead or alive."

Lovely Akhter from Badurtala village said since her husband went missing, she has been raising their only son, who now pulls rickshaw to support the family.

"Our life is tough amid such poverty and uncertainty. We don't have any joy of Eid in our house, it's just another day in the present circumstances," she added.

Photo: Collected

Shafiqul Islam Khokon, a journalist and researcher, said, "No one hears the cries of the coastal people. The struggles of these families of missing fishermen remain unnoticed. Every year, the list of missing fishermen only keeps growing."

Md Rokonuzzaman Khan, upazila nirbahi officer of Patharghata, said the upazila administration has been providing support to missing fishermen's families and will continue to do so.

He also mentioned that a memorial plaque has been erected in Patharghata to document the names of the fishermen who went missing between 1993 and 2024.

"Priority assistance is being given to these families. Ahead of Eid, 188 fishermen's families have received 20 kilo of rice each," he added.