Two killed, 2 missing in Padma boat capsize

Two people died and two others went missing as a boat capsized in the Padma in Monoharpur area of Shibganj upazila Monday afternoon.

The deceased were identified as Sumi Akhter, 16, daughter of Arshad Ali of Raninagar-Madhyapara village, and Tazrin Khatun,11, daughter of Azizul Haque of Daisapara-Bhabanipur village in the upazila.

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Rishat, 7, son of Nasir Uddin of Dash Roshia village, and Jonab Ali, 60, son of Ishaque Ali of Dobhagi village in the upazila, remained missing as of filing of this report at 6:30pm yesterday.

Abdul Malek, chairman of Panka Union Parishad and Waheedul Islam, deputy assistant director of Chapainawabganj fire service station, said an engine-driven boat sailed for Monhorpur with around 15/20 passengers and 11 cattle aboard from Khanchapara Ghat in Shibganj upazila at around 5:30pm.

When the boat reached Monoharpur area, it was caught in a storm and sank into the river. Four people drowned while the rest managed to swim ashore.

Locals found the bodies of the two girls yesterday morning and recovered them. Fire fighters and divers from Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj reached the spot yesterday noon and started searching for the missing men.