BANGLADESH: Around 21 people were killed after a boat carrying over 100 passengers capsized in Bangladesh’s Titas river. “A boat carrying over 100 passengers had a head-on collision with a sand-laden vessel, which got hit by another ship from behind,” authorities said on Saturday.
According to the reports, the boat left the Champaknagar ghat of Vijaynagar Upazila of Brahmanbaria district at around 4:30 pm on Friday. The boat was reportedly heading to Anandabazar ghat of Sadar Upazila and the collision took place on the Laisca Beel.
Also Read: Bangladesh Extends Nationwide Lockdown To May 23
Hayat Ud Daula Khan, Deputy Commissioner of Brahmanbaria, confirmed the death toll. He added that the families of those who died were being paid 20,000 takas ($234) each and the injured had been hospitalized.
Authorities said that many people were still missing, but did not give an exact figure. “Meanwhile, several rescue teams and divers from the fire service are trying to locate the missing persons,” the authorities said.
The bodies were kept at the Brahamanbaria Sadar Hospital morgue where a huge number of people gathered to know the whereabouts of their dear ones.
Immediately after the incident the fire service and local police started their rescue operation with divers.
Locals also alleged that after the incident police seized the sand-laden trawler but the master and other staff had already escaped.
