3 killed as boat capsizes in Shitalakkhya River

Three people died as an engine-driven boat capsized in Narayanganj’s Shitalakkhya River after ramming into a ferry docked in the port area on Friday.

According to local sources, the boat capsized in Hajiganj-Nabiganj Ghat area of the city, The deceased are Jimmy, 20, Shaon, 17, and Rifat, 16, of the Khanpur area of Narayanganj city. Eleven others managed to swim to safety.

Fourteen people boarded the boat to go to Hajiganj Ghat from Nabiganj Ferry Ghat around 9pm.

As the front of the boat was overloaded, the vessel tilted when it struck the ferry.

‘Two hours after the boat sank, the bodies of Shaon and Jimmy were fished out from the Nabiganj Kheyaghat area at around 11pm. Rifat’s body was found at midnight,’ said Narayanganj Fire Service and Civil Defence department’s deputy assistant director Fakhruddin Ahmed.

Following the mishap, the boatman Alamgir was detained for carrying passengers exceeding his vessel’s capacity, Narayanganj Sadar River Police Sub-Inspector Md Forkan said.