Two drown while filming TikTok video in Gazipur’s Shapla Beel

As they were recording a video on a mobile phone, their boat began rocking and eventually overturned

Two people have drowned after a boat capsized as they were filming a video on a mobile phone at Shapla Beel in Gazipur’s Kapasia Upazila.

The incident occurred around 8am on Friday in the wetland near Panchua village, according to Md Sabed Ali Khan, leader of the Fire Service's Kapasia Station.

The victims were identified as 25-year-old Md Baizid from Mymensingh’s Bhaluka Upazila, and 16-year-old Md Mahin from Tepirbari in Gazipur’s Sreepur Upazila.

Citing locals and survivors, Fire Service official Sabed said five people from nearby Sreepur rented a small boat to explore the scenic Shapla Beel. While on the boat, they became engrossed in making TikTok videos on their phones. However, their movements rocked the boat, causing it overturn at one point.

Upon receiving news of the incident around 8:30am, Fire Service personnel rushed to the scene and found that locals had already recovered one of the bodies. Two other victims were sent to the Kapasia Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared one of them dead.

Two other passengers on the boat, Akash, 22, and Tuhin, 16, managed to swim to safety. They suffered minor injuries and received first aid.

Dr Md Habibur Rahman, head of Kapasia Upazila Health and Family Planning Office, said that Mahin was brought in dead.

The scenic red water lilies in Tok Union's Kawra Beel attract hundreds of visitors during the monsoon every year, earning it the name “Shapla Beel".

Small and large boats are rented out for Tk 100 to 200 per hour. However, many visitors become preoccupied with filming videos or taking selfies without taking necessary safety precautions, increasing the risk of accidents.

Kapasia Police Station chief Zainal Abedin Mondal said a police team had been sent to the scene and that legal action would follow.