NETRAKONA, Aug 5, 2020 (BSS) – Seventeen persons died and one more went missing after an engine boat, carrying 48 passengers, capsized in Rajalikanda Haor under Modan upazila in Netrakona district this noon.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Netrakona Main-Ul-Islam told BSS that the boat passengers had come to the Ucitpur area in the Modan upazila mostly from Mymensing district and they were proceeding to Gobindosree Haor area of the same upazila by the boat to see natural beauty of the haor areas.
The boat sank due to the squally wind and strong waves of the haor, he said, adding that soon after the boat capsize, 30 passengers, with the help of local people, swam ashore safely, but 31 people went missing.
Later, the local people with the help of rescue teams of Modan and Netrakona fire service stations recovered the bodies of seventeen passengers who went missing following the accident.
However, one boat passenger still remains missing (till 5pm) today, the DC said while visiting the spot.
A pall of gloom descended in the haor areas when the local people and rescue teams of the fire service department recovered the bodies from the water.
Meanwhile, state minister for social welfare Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru, MP, who is on an official visit here, expressed his deep shock at the death of 17 persons in the boat capsize today.
Talking to BSS here, the state minister conveyed his deep sympathy to the bereaved family members and prayed for the peace of the departed souls.