Siblings among five killed as Brahmaputra bridge collapses in Jamalpur

A festive outing turns fatal as an overcrowded floating bridge flips, plunging revellers into the river

At least five people, including brothers and sisters, have died after a floating bridge over the Brahmaputra River capsized under the weight of an Eid crowd in Jamalpur’s Dewanganj Upazila.

The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon in front of Dewanganj Model Police Station, where a temporary floating bridge had been set up for public movement and leisure during the holiday.

The dead are Khadija, a 12-year-old identified with a single name, and her brother Abdul Motaleb, 6; Rifat, 16, and his sister Mayamoni, 10 -- also identified by single names; and a 16-year-old known only as Abir.

Witnesses said the bridge, made of drums and installed by the municipality, had become a popular spot for Eid visitors crossing to nearby river chars and for recreation.

As crowds swelled throughout the day, the structure reportedly became dangerously overloaded.

By the afternoon, the pressure proved too much -- the bridge overturned and broke in the middle, throwing dozens of people into the river, witnesses said.

While many managed to swim ashore, several went missing in the water.

Fire Service and Civil Defence personnel later launched a rescue operation and recovered five people in an unconscious state.

They were rushed to Dewanganj Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared the four dead.

Authorities said further details would follow as rescue and recovery efforts continued.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat, also the MP for Jamalpur-1, visited the site following the incident.