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101 fishermen presumed dead: Bengal minister

The fishermen had set out in 20 trawlers, which capsized in the cyclone.

"Since three days have passed and they have not returned, we are presuming they are no longer alive," West Bengal Fisheries Minister Kironmoy Nanda said.

Besides, 48 fishermen in five other trawlers who had sailed out from Digha were still missing.

"But there is hope yet of finding them alive, as their trawlers did not capsize," he added.

He said the meteorological office had sent out a warning very late. "When the forecast was broadcasted, the storm had passed," he said.

Meanwhile, an unidentified body was found drifting in coastal area of South 24 Parganas district on Friday.

Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee said he had directed the Coast Guard to search areas near Paradip in Orissa following the sighting of fishing boats adrift.

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