Home ›› 29 Aug 2021 ›› Governance
At least 22 people drowned and many more went missing as a trawler sank after being hit by another sand-laden one in Laiska Beel under Bijoynagar upazila of Brahmanbaria district on Friday evening.
“We recovered 21 bodies at night and the body of a child in the morning. We continue our search for more bodies,” Taufiqul Islam Bhuiyan, deputy assistant director of fire service in Brahmanbaria, told The Business Post.
Taufiqul said the water in Laiska Beel was calm when the accident occurred.
“There was no current in the marsh at that time. So, we assume most of the people who were on the boat could swim ashore. None came to us with any missing complaint,” he said.
Of the total 22 victims, 18 have been identified.
The deceased were identified as — Takwa, 8, Mamun Bhuiyan, 20, Monju Begum, 60, Farida Begum, 40, Munni, 6, Minara Begum, 30, Anjana Bishwas, 30, Tridiba Bishwas, 3, Rawshan Ara, 65, Mahida Akhter, 5, Sirajul Islam, 58, Momena Begum, 55, Kajla Begum, Tasfia Mim, 12, Tanvir, 8, Sajim, 7, Sharmeen, 18, and Jhrona Begum, 55.
A witness, identifying himself as Rizvi, said the trawler was carrying nearly 100 passengers.
Police have detained five people, including the owner and the driver of the sand-carrying trawler.
They were detained from different areas of Brahmanbaria’s Friday night, Bijoynagar police station Officer-in-Charge Mirza Mohammad Hasan confirmed The Business Post.
The detainees are — the sand-carrying trawler’s owner Solayman, detained from the Sorail area, driver Jamir Mia, his associates Khokon and Rasel, held from Char Islampur area, and Mishto Mia, who manages the ghat, detained from Champaknagar area, he said.
The officer said they had been charged with reckless speeding, accident, murder, injury and illegal navigation.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of the district Hayat Ud-Daula Khan and Superintendent of Police Md Anisur Rahman visited the spot.
Probe committee formed
A three-member probe committee was formed to investigate the boat capsize in Laiska Beel.
Additional District Magistrate Md Ruhul Amin would lead the probe committee, Deputy Commissioner Hayat Ud-Daula Khan told reporters. The committee had been asked to submit its report within 10 days, he added.
