At least 26 people died when a speedboat sank in river Padma near Kathalbari Ferry ghat in Shibchar upazila of Madaripur district on Monday.
Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence on-duty officer Lima Khanam told The Business Post the Banglabazar-bound speedboat from Shimulia Ferry Ghat with about 30 passengers capsized around 7:00am after it was hit by a sand-laden stationary bulkhead.
The rescuers could so far recover 26 dead bodies, which included 22 male, three women and a child, she said, adding that the location of the boat in the river also could be spotted.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) director Rafiqul Islam said the boat was crossing the river, defying a ban on public transport in Covid-19 lockdown.
Meanwhile, local administration formed a six member probe body following the incident.
This was the second major incident of a boat capsize in a month.
At least 34 people died on April 5 when an overcrowded passenger boat capsized in the Shitalakkhya river in Narayanganj district.
