Panchagarh boat capsize: Death toll rises to 39

The death toll from the boat capsize in the Karatoya River rose to 39 as seven more bodies were recovered from the river in Boda upazila of Panchagarh on Monday afternoon.

Identities of the deceased could not be known immediately. 

Deepankar Roy, Additional District Magistrate and Chief of the probe committee formed over the incident, confirmed the matter to Jago News.

He said seven more bodies have been recovered from different parts of the river. We have started the investigation work. 

“Of the deceased, 21 are women, seven are men and eleven are children. 51 more people have remained missing in the incident,” he said.

Sheikh Md Mahabubul Alam, Assistant Deputy Director of Fire Service and Civil Defence, said eight fire service units of Panchagarh and surrounding districts are conducting rescue operations. Apart from, nine divers from Rangpur, Kurigram and Rajshahi also joined with them.

Earlier in the morning, bodies of seven more people were recovered from the river. 

Of the total deceased, 24 were identified as Poli Rani, 14, Lakkhi Rani, 25, Amal Chandra, 35, Shobha Rani, 27, Deepankar, 5, Priyanta Rani, 5, Khuki Rani, 35, Pralima Rani, 55, Tara Rani, 24, Shoneka Rani, 60, Falguni Rani, 55, Pramila Rani, 70, Dhanbala, 47, Sumitra Rani, 57, Sofolota Rani, 40, Shimla Rani, 35, boatman Hasan Ali, 52, Ushashi Rani, 2, Tanushri Rani, 2, Shreyashi Rani, 2, Bimol Chandra, 45, Shyamali Rani, 35, Jotish Chandra, 55 and Rupali Rani, 35.

Earlier on Sunday afternoon, 25 people died and many others went missing after the boat with more than 150 passengers capsized in the river.  

The overloaded boat sank in the middle of the river while heading towards Badheshwari Temple on the occasion of Mayalaya.

The incident took place in Auliaghat area under Mareya union of the upazila.