Bangladesh
Boat Capsize Panchagarh boat capsize: Death toll rises to 66; sank due to overcrowding
Dhaka, September 27: In Boda upazila of Panchagarh, the procession of dead bodies is increasing in the incident of boat sinking in Karatoya river. On Tuesday (September 27) at noon, five more bodies were recovered by fire service personnel. The death toll has increased to 66.
Meanwhile, the investigation committee formed by the district administration said that the boat capsized due to the pressure of excess passengers.
Panchagarh Fire Service and Civil Defense Assistant-Deputy Director Sheikh Md. Mahabubul Islam said, "Our rescue operation was suspended on Monday evening. The operation started again this morning. Sixteen bodies have been found till 1:30 in the afternoon. We are still searching for those who are missing. Rescue operations will continue."
Names of people who died in the boat sinking: Hashem Ali (70), Shyamli Rani (14), Lakshmi Rani (25), Amal Chandra (35), Shobha Rani (27), Deepankar (3), Pianto (2 and a half years), Rupali aka Khuki Rani ( 35), Pramila Rani (55), Dhanbala (60), Sunitha Rani (60), Falguni (45), Pramila Devi, Jyotish Chandra (55), Tara Rani (25), Saneka Rani (60), Sopholata Rani (40) ), Bilash Chandra (45), Shyamoli Rani aka Shimuli (35), Ushoshi (8), Tanushree (5), Brajendra Nath (55), Jharna Rani (45), Deep Babu (10), Suchitra (22), Kavita Rani (50), Bejye Bala (50), Dipshikha Rani (10), Subrata (2), Jagdish (35), Jati Mrinmoy (15), Genda Rani, Kanika Rani, Aduri (50), Pushpa Rani, Pratima Rani ( 50), Suryanath Burman (12), Harikeshar Burman (45), Nikhil Chandra (60), Sushil Chandra (65), Yuthi Rani (1), Rajmohan Adhikari (65), Rupali Rani (38), Pradeep Roy (30) and Parul Rani (32). All their homes are in Panchagarh.
On Sunday afternoon, more than 150 Sanatan religious people were going by boat to join the Mahalaya festival at Badveswari temple in the upazila. The boat sank in the Aoliaghat area of the Karatoa river as it was carrying extra passengers. These casualties happened soon after.
Meanwhile, the investigation committee formed by the district administration said that the incident of boat sinking in the Karatoa river of Boda upazila of Panchagarh occurred due to the pressure of excess passengers. Additional Deputy Commissioner Dipankar Roy, head of the investigation committee, said this on Tuesday (September 27) afternoon.
Dipankar Roy said, "A five-member inquiry committee has been formed into the horrific boat sinking incident. It has been asked to submit the inquiry report within three working days. The report will be submitted by today. We have already collected all the video documents. Talked to the eyewitnesses and rescue workers. It has been said. People from both sides have been interviewed. We initially think that this terrible boat capsizing happened due to the pressure of excess passengers."
