Two dead in Kushtia as boat sinks in Padma River

“The dinghy suddenly tilted after we travelled some distance from the riverbank, and before we knew what happened, it sank,” a rescued passenger says

Two people have died and two others have been injured after a boat sank in the Padma River in Kushtia’s Bheramara.

The incident occurred in Bahadurpur Union on Tuesday morning, but it was eventually reported to police late in the afternoon, said Abdur Rab Talukder, chief of Bheramara Police Station.

The dead have been identified as local residents Abdur Rashid, 58, and Md Mamun, 28.

The injured have been identified as Shoriful and Yusuf Ali. They are currently receiving treatment at Bheramara Upazila Health Complex.

SM Raunak, a family member of Rashid, said: “They were taking a small dinghy boat to their farmland (on the chars) in the morning. As they reached the middle of the river, the boat suddenly tilted, the water began to rise, and it sank. Locals noticed the sinking boat and rescued them from the river while unconscious. They were taken to the Bheramara Upazila Health Complex, where two were declared dead by the doctor.”

Shoriful, who was receiving treatment, said: “We set off on a small dinghy boat for Mamun’s land on the river’s sandbars to plant sugarcane, as we do every day. Like other days, the four of us were crossing the river with the boat sitting heavy in the water.”

“The dinghy suddenly tilted after we had travelled some distance from the riverbank, and before we knew what happened, it sank. Seeing the desperation of our situation, I tried to survive as best as I could. Suddenly, I felt the ground beneath my feet. Somehow, I had gotten to the shore. Then I lost consciousness.”

Witness Md Imran Hossain said, “We were going to follow them and were waiting to cross the river, but as soon after travelling a small distance, the small boat suddenly tilted and sank. Some people, including me, quickly jumped in and rescued Mamun and Rashid Uncle. Rashid Uncle and his two companions were in very bad condition.”

Local union council member Md Shariful Islam Roni said, “There is profound grief in the area over the death of two people from the same village. After inspecting the scene, the River Police declared they had died naturally and buried them according to the normal regulations.”

Bheramara OC Talukder said, “Since the incident occurred in the river, the Ishwardi Lakshmikunda River Police is supervising the matter.”