The National Emergency Services 999 Centre located at the Metropolitan Police Crime Command and Control Centre at Dhaka’s Abdul Gani Road proved how effective it can be when it comes to saving lives. On receiving an emergency call from a fast drifting engine boat on Sunday the call centre immediately acted alerting Police and Coast Guard members to rescued 30 fishermen from Meghna river in Barishal. A team of Navy vessel was also on full alert to come to the aid.
Their boat – a sand extracting dredger started to drift in severe rough and high tide Mehgna River amid the cyclonic storm “Bulbul”. In dire situation, one of the men called, from his mobile phone, emergency helpline number 999 seeking urgent rescue operation amid the strong winds.
The dredger got stuck in Miahchar area of the mighty Meghna river during the cyclonic storm that was crossing the coastal area of Bangladesh on Sunday. As they drifted south in strong winds, they tried to put the anchor to prevent further danger but nothing worked in the chaotic weather.
One Ramjan, one of the men on board, made a quick call to the national emergency helpline – 999 seeking help, said police, adding that the operator on 999 centre immediately informed officer-in-charge of Hijla Police Station in the district. They also informed Coast Guard members who also rushed to the spot with on a powerful engine boat to rescue men. “We were able to save the lives of all the 30 fishermen after two hours of rescue operation”, the police official said.
