Four dead, at least 18 missing after trawler sinks in Bagerhat river

Bodies of four women have been pulled out from a river in the southern district of Bagerhat after an engine-run boat sank on Tuesday.

At least 18 others are still missing while three passengers have been rescued, said police.

Bagerhat Superintendent of Police (SP) Pankaj Chandra Roy said the accident was reported around 10:30am from the Panguchhi River at Morrelganj Upazila.

According to locals the boat was carrying 50 to 60 people when it left the Chholombarhia terminal for the Puran Thanaghat terminal, said Additional SP Moniruzzaman Mitthu.

Police, fire service and coast guards along with the locals are conducting a rescue operation.

Senior officer Mitthu said that bodies of four women have been recovered and that at least 10 others are still missing.

Those died have been identified as ‘Beauty’, 38, ‘Peyara’, 50, ‘Sufia’, 75, and ‘Nadia’, 44.

Morrelganj police OC Rashedul Alam said two women and a child have been rescued, who have been taken to local hospitals.

Quoting witnesses, Additional SP Mitthu said as the trawler was approaching its destination, heavy currents caused by another speedy vessel led to its sinking.

Bagerhat district administration has started an inquiry into the accident.

Deputy Commissioner Tapan Kumar Biswas said a five-member body, headed by an additional district magistrate, has been told to file its findings within three working days.