Rajshahi: A man and his son are missing after an engine-driven boat capsized in the Padma River in Rajshahi, with six other passengers rescued alive. The accident occurred around 12:40 pm today in the middle of the Padma River in the Bara Kuthi area of the city.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the two missing individuals are Afsar Ali, 60, and his son Ziarul Haque, 40. Their home is in the Shyampur Balurghat area under Katakhali Police Station in Rajshahi. Ziarul’s mother, Jahera Begum, 55, was also on the boat. As the boat sank, she was being swept away but was rescued by locals using another boat. Five other passengers were similarly rescued and brought to shore.
Eyewitnesses reported that the eight passengers were transporting Jhao trees cut from the Char Majardia area of Rajshahi by boat. When the boat reached the middle of the river, it was hit by strong waves and sank. Other boatmen and local eyewitnesses quickly rushed to the scene to assist in the rescue operation, successfully saving six passengers. However, Afsar Ali and his son Ziarul were carried away by the river current.
Upon receiving the news, a diver team from the Fire Service quickly arrived at the spot. As of the last update at 5 pm, there was no trace of the missing father and son or the boat. The Fire Service diver team continues to search various points in the Padma River.
Manjil Haque, deputy director of the Rajshahi Sadar Station of Fire Service and Civil Defence, stated that rescue efforts are ongoing. “We have six divers. They are searching underwater in pairs. Besides that, the river is also being monitored by boat,” he said. The operation is expected to continue until evening in the hope of finding the missing individuals.