Barisal, April 12 (bdnews24.com) – Eight dead bodies were retrieved Monday from the Kalabadar river after an engine boat capsized the previous night near Mehendiganj upazila in Barisal.
Five of the dead have been identified as Abul Hossain Bepari (72), Khairunnessa (65), Aisha Begum (60), Asia (11), Tania (9) and Jewel (6).
One of the survivors told journalists that the small shallow engine make-shift boat had been carrying 20 to 25 passengers.
Sohrab Ali, Mehendiganj police chief, said that the police started rescue operations on Sunday night.
He speculated that it might have been possible for the rest of the passengers to survive the accident.
Hut Yousuf Ali, one of the survivors, said that many of the passengers were elderly and had been returning from Mehendiganj after withdrawing their government allowance.
Rescued passéngers received treatment at the upazila health complex.
Badrul Haque, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Mehendiganj, said that rescue work had to be called off late Sunday, but the local administration, police, locals and relatives of the passengers resumed their rescue operation from Monday dawn.
Abul Hossain, Jangalia union chairman said that the engine boat capsized after taking on too many passengers.
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