32 dead, 30 reportedly missing in Bangladesh pilgrims’ boat tragedy
Bangladesh Flag Against City Blurred Background At Sunrise Backlight
A senior police officer reported that the pilgrims’ boat that sank in northern Bangladesh on Sunday left at least 32 dead and 30 to 40 missing.
Seven dead were pulled from the Karatoya river on Monday in Bangladesh‘s northern Panchagarh district, 468 kilometers from the capital Dhaka, according to Panchagarh District Police Superintendent SM Sirajul Huda.
“Another seven bodies were recovered on Monday morning, which brings the total death toll to 32 from 25 on Sunday,” the official said on the phone Monday afternoon.
The authority claims that the crammed boat, carrying 100 passengers, capsized on Sunday afternoon.
“A search operation is still underway for 30 to 40 people still missing,” he said, adding that the capsized boat had been dragged to the bank.
Rescuers had to struggle against a high current and rough river waters, the police officer claimed “The boat sank due to overloading,”
In Bangladesh, which was traversed by hundreds of rivers, ferry and boat mishaps were frequent.
In South Asian nations, ferries are still a vital form of transportation, and the majority of them are frequently overcrowded.
NAN
