While the community in Sydney is mourning the accident that took place at 7 pm last Friday, three more people have died in two separate accidents in the same way recently. They were professional fishermen though.
However, 30-year-old Mahadi Khan and 37-year-old Mozaffar Ahmed used to do fishing as a hobby.
The Bangladeshi community members in Sydney have expressed their feeling to SBS Bangla about the incident.
Mahdi Khan and Mozaffar Ahmed were well-known faces in the Lakemba area of Sydney
SM Aminul Rubel, a journalist, knew both of them intimately. He said they were familiar faces in the Lakemba area of Sydney.
SM Aminul Rubel said, "Many people come to their business in Lakemba every day, so many people knew them even in appearance. And that is why community feel it with heavy heart.”
He said, "Many people wanted to decorate their business on Valentine's Day, but for this cause they canceled it; you see, the issue has had such an impact on the community.”
S M Aminul Wrubel Source: S M Aminul Wrubel
Expressing the bravery of a policeman Mr Rubel said to SBS Bangla, “A brave policeman of Wollongong immediately jumped into the rough sea to save Mahdi Khan and Mozaffar Ahmed from the water. But one of them was rescued dead and another person died later in hospital.”
He said, "After rescuing them, it was seen that they had injuries on their heads. It is believed that the two were hit by rocks floating in the strong current." There was another one with them, he was able to grab the stone and survived.”
Mr. Rubel said that Mahadi was a trader and amateur fisherman, he used to run couple of business. He was recently married, his wife is in Bangladesh. Mozaffar Ahmed, who was also killed in the incident, used to work in a shop and a resident of Wali Park.
While speaking about Mahadi, Mr. H M Labu, a resident of Sydney, said that he was a very kind man, he had known to him for several years, he knew his father well.
H M Labu Source: H M Labu
"Many of them often go fishing in the area, that's their hobby."
Maidul Islam Johnny of Sydney said the two were well-known in the community and had a reputation for being friendly with everyone.
"We are all saddened by this incident. We all used to pray together in the nearby mosque, walk around and mingle together. Their deaths really affect us a lot," he said.
Wasimuzzaman Rubel of the same area did not know Mahdi Khan and Mozaffar Ahmed, but many of his acquaintances were close to them. He said many people have expressed regret over the incident, they looked highly concerned.
Moidul Islam Jony Source: Moidul Islam Jony
Mursalin Ali of Sydney said he often saw them when he visited Lakemba as they were familiar faces.
He said, "Two such sudden deaths have had a profound effect on the community. Such an unusual death. One person I knew well was only 30 years old. He had just got married in Bangladesh. Sadly, he was the only son of his parents."
Dr Chowdhury Beg, a doctor in Sydney, said he had met Mahadi twice. Since they were Bengali-inhabited Lakember traders, they were all known in the community.
Mursalin Ali Source: Mursalin Ali
However, he said he learned from Facebook and community sources that they were cheerful, friendly, and enthusiastic. They were in good health and were very active in the community.
Dr. Beg said that everyone in the community is naturally deeply saddened by the untimely death of two people.
Caution is required before fishing, especially in 'rock fishing'
The place Hill 60, Port Kembla, where the incident took place, is favourite for fishing but the people who go fishing are the victims of repeated accidents. Earlier in the month, several professional fishermen were killed in two separate incidents. Naturally, the question has arisen as to how safe fishing is in the area.
Dr Chowdhury Beg, a doctor in Sydney, said many people who go fishing are indifferent to safety.
"They should take proper guidance, education and protection," he said, advising those who go fishing to be cautious.
However, he said, many people want to be safe, maybe the time was not in their favour.
Dr Chowdhury Beg Source: Dr Chowdhury Beg
"It's very unfortunate, but I have to say we all need to be careful about this."
He said the crash site is a very popular place for fishing. But many professional fishermen are in danger even after using adequate protection and logistics.
"In that context, I would say that amateur fish hunters need to be more careful."
He praised the role of the Ilawara police department at the time of the incident, saying "a policeman tried to save them at the risk of his life."
SM Aminul Rubel said, "The reality is that as far as we know, there are more chances for availability of fishes where the waves are higher. And Mahadi Khan was well trained fisherman, but he did it as a hobby. "
"It simply came to our notice that he (Mahadi) would load the car with fish, bring them to Lakemba, distribute them free to his fiends or have a barbecue for everyone."
"He liked fishing since he was a kid. He's been to that place hundreds of times, so he had a lot of confidence. There was protection, too" said Mr SM Aminul Rubel.
Wasimuzzaman Rubel Source: Wasimuzzaman Rubel
"But unfortunately the waves were too high, which caused them to float away."
Wasimuzzaman Rubel, a Sydney resident, explained the reality and safety measures from his own fishing experiences: "Fishes are usually found in places where there are big waves, and this is called rock fishing. But you have to be very careful about safety in these places. And according to police sources, they did not have a life jacket on, so it is very important that people wear a life jacket when fishing. "
"One of the conditions of a rock fishing license is to have a life jacket, and to wear it," he said.
What is rock fishing?
Mr Wasimuzzaman Rubel explained: "Rock fishing is a rocky outcrop where usually there is no sand, where everyone catches fish standing on rocks, large rocks. There are more chances to catch fish in those places, these are popular fishing spots. But at the same there are a lot of waves too, which is a risk to safety."
Mr Rubel said there are many things to look to when fishing, especially for rock fishing. The weather conditions, safety measures should be taken care of, especially those who do recreational fishing should be more careful.
Mr. Mursalin Ali said, "Although there are many warning notices about safety, people are often indifferent to these issues."
Mr. Maidul Islam Johnny said that many people in the community wish to appeal to the authorities to take more precautionary measures in those places.
Meanwhile, New South Wales Superintendent of Police Dean Smith said they thought the men were not wearing life jackets.
He told reporters, "We have seen accidents happening here again and again."
"So we'll be working closely with Council, with Surf Life Saving, with our water police and others to make sure we continually push those safety messages."
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