Concerns are rising for nearly 40 fishermen in West Bengal who have been reported missing after setting out in their trawlers two days ago.
A spokesman for the fishermen in the coastal town of Digha, said the men had been hit by rough weather and developed technical difficulties.
He said one trawler with at least 12 men aboard had been rescued.
He said coastguards had launched an air rescue mission to trace the missing men.
Digha, which is a popular tourist resort, has been hit by unusually big waves washing several tourists off its beaches.
