Padma boat tragedy: Death toll rises to 4, missing 8

Padma boat capsize

Chapainawabganj, Sept 30 -- The death toll from Wednesday's boat accident in the Padma river off the coast of Shibganj upazila has risen to four with the recovery of two more bodies, officials said Thursday. 

Eight people are still missing, officials said.

The tragedy occurred Wednesday afternoon when the boat carrying over 30 people sank in the Padma river off the coast of Laxmipur in Shibganj. Two people drowned while 20 others went missing.

The deceased were identified as Nilufar Begum, 62, wife of Khairul Islam of Bish Rossia village in Panka union of Shibganj upazila, and her granddaughter Maisha, 5, daughter of Babu Ali.

Shibganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shakib Al Rabbi said the boat carrying over 30 people capsized in the river around 2.15 pm owing to strong winds.

The boat was heading towards Bishrashia from Boglauri of Shibganj upazila. The two bodies were recovered by local residents.

Later in the evening, divers recovered two more bodies, identified as Asmaul 5, son of Fitu Ali, and his sister Ayesha, 3, of Sadar upazila -- from the river. - UNB