Ferry capsizes in the Padma in Munshiganj killing 2 girls

A ferry launch seen anchored to a river terminal.

Munshiganj, Dec 16 -Two minor girls drowned as a ferry boat carrying 40 passengers capsized after being hit by a bulkhead in a distributary of Padma River in Tongibari upazila of Munshiganj on Saturday evening. 

The deceased were identified as Sifa Akhter, 15, daughter of Nazrul Bepari of Mandra village under the Tongibari upazila and Fahiza Akhter, 6, daughter of Faruk Hossain of Fatullah in Narayanganj 

According to eyewitnesses, the ferry boat was coming to Hasail Bazar from Mia Bari Ghat of Hasail Char at around 6:30 pm on Saturday. The boat carrying the 40 passengers sank when the bulkhead crashed into it amid the darkness in the river. 

Later, locals recovered the girls from the river and rushed them to Tongibari Upazila Complex where physicians declared them dead. 

Tongibari Upazila Nirbarhi Officer (UNO) Aslam Hossain who rushed to the spot after hearing the news, said that it could not be confirmed whether anyone was still missing. Inquiries are being made. 

Later, locals seized the bulkhead, but the driver managed to flee, he added.