4 children die in Sylhet boat capsize

At least four children were drowned and seven others went missing as a boat capsized after being hit by a storm at Kaliakuta haor at Derai upazila last night.

The dead are Shamim Miah, 2, son of Babul Miah, Abir Miah, 3, son of Badrul Miah, Sohan Miah, 1, son of Abjol Miah, and Azam Miah, 2, son of Firoz Ali.

The boat started its journey from Machimpur village of the upazila’s in the evening with around 31 passengers on board.

At around 8:00pm, the boat was hit by storm and capsized within few minutes, said Liton Shamanta, a local fisherman and an eye-witness.

So far, four bodies have been recovered by the locals, said KM Nazrul Islam, officer-in-charge of Derai Police Station.

Some 20 other people managed to reach the shore with the help of locals but seven still remain missing, said OC Nazrul. 

Police and locals were continuing the rescue operation, said Nazrul. Bishwajit Deb, upazila nirbahi officer of Derai, said, “The fire service and civil defence have been informed and they are on their way to the spot.”