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BSS- 36
BOAT-CAPSIZE-DEATHS LEAD (with picture)
Death toll rises to 6, three missing in Rajshahi boat capsize
RAJSHAHI, Mar 7, 2020 (BSS) – Death toll rose to six today while three
others remained missing after the boat capsized in Padma River adjacent to
the Rajshahi city yesterday evening.
Rescue teams through their daylong hectic operations recovered five
floating bodies from separate areas in Padma River today. The deceased were
identified as Moni Begum, 45, Ikhlash, 22, Ratan, 32, Shamim, 35, and his
daughter Rashni, 8.
Earlier last night, a baby identified as Moriom Khatun, 6, died at Rajshahi
Medical College Hospital (RMCH), where she was admitted following the boat
capsize incident.
Talking to BSS here Abdur Rashid, Deputy Director of the Department of Fire
Service and Civil Defense, said 32 people including the groom have, so far,
been recovered alive and some of them are undergoing treatment in Rajshahi
Medical College Hospital. He also said three more people, including the bride
remained missing.
Quoting local people, he added that the boat carrying around 38 passengers
of a bridal party from Char Khanpur was heading towards the city’s boat ghat.
On the way, the boat capsized at Shrirampur around 7 pm.
A total of four rescue teams from Fire Service and Civil Defense, BIWTA and
BGB are conducting drives to recover the missing people.
Meanwhile, the district administration has formed a seven-member probe
committee headed by Additional District Magistrate Abu Aslam to unearth the
reason behind the accident and to assess the losses.
Deputy Commissioner Hamidul Haque said each of the deceased families will
be given Taka 20,000 and step has been taken to bear the treatment expenses
of all the rescued people.
BSS/AH/MMR/ARS/1949 hrs