Araihazar: The bodies of two passengers who went missing after a CNG-powered auto-rickshaw fell into the Meghna River from a ferry in Araihazar have been recovered around 6 pm today, approximately 13 hours after the accident occurred at Bishanandi Ferry Ghat in the upazila. The deceased were identified as Khaleda Begum, 55, and her daughter-in-law Farzana Akhter, 22, both residents of Rasullabad village in Nabinagar Upazila of Brahmanbaria.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Khaleda Begum’s son, Kamal Hossain, 19, was rescued shortly after the accident and is currently receiving treatment at Araihazar Upazila Health Complex. Officer-in-charge of Araihazar Police Station, Nasir Uddin, stated that the CNG-powered auto-rickshaw was retrieved from the Meghna River around 6 pm, with the bodies of the two women still inside.
Kamal’s cousin, Mosleh Uddin, explained that Khaleda Begum and her family were returning home in the auto-rickshaw during the Eid holidays. After boarding the ferry, the vehicle fell into the Meghna River due to a jolt. Kamal managed to escape, but Khaleda Begum and Farzana Akhter could not. At the time of the accident, the auto-rickshaw driver, Kuddus, and Farzana’s husband, Sagar, were standing beside the vehicle.
Mosleh Uddin added that Kamal, Khaleda Begum, and Farzana Akhter were inside the auto-rickshaw when it tilted and fell into the river due to the jolt, as there was no railing at the back of the ferry. Araihazar Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Sazzat Hossain, mentioned that they arrived at the scene in the morning after receiving news of the accident and that an investigation is underway to determine if there was a security breach on the ferry. Legal actions will be taken as necessary.