Death toll reaches 50 in Panchagarh boat capsize

Death toll reaches 50 in Panchagarh boat capsize

Death toll reached 50 and at least 29 others remained missing in the boat capsize in the Karatoya River near Auliya Ghat under Boda upazila in Panchgarh.

In the rescue operation, 26 bodies have been recovered today till filling of the report tonight since morning after a boat capsized in the Karatoya River on Sunday afternoon, Boda Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sujoy Kumar Roy said.

Of the 26 bodies, 17 were recovered this morning and the other nine were recovered this evening, he said.

On Sunday, 24 bodies were recovered after a boat carrying over a hundred passengers beyond its capacity capsized in the river in northern Panchagarh district.

Of the deceased, 24 are women, 15 men and 11 children.

Passengers were going to Badeshwari temple on the occasion of the celebration of Mahalaya, the auspicious occasion heralding the advent of goddess Durga.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Zahurul Islam said a five-member probe committee has been formed to look into the incident and the committee has been asked to submit its report by three working days.

At least 70-80 people were rescued alive following the incident, he said.

The bodies of those identified have been handed over to their relatives, the DC added.

Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan, State Minister for Religious Affairs Faridul Haque Khan, Thakurgaon-1 constituency lawmaker Ramesh Chandra Sen and Dinajpur-1 lawmaker Manoranjan Shil Gopal visited the scene.