Child killed after falling into houseboat engine in Tanguar Haor

A family excursion to Tanguar Haor in Sunamganj turned tragic on Friday when an eight-year-old girl died after falling onto the running engine of a houseboat during a sightseeing trip.

The deceased, Soumata Sarkar Nijhum, daughter of Sylhet Metropolitan Police Sub-Inspector (SI) Swapan Chandra Sarkar, was fatally injured in the accident and died on the spot around 3:00pm in the haor area of Tahirpur upazila.

According to family members and sources linked to the vessel, the newly launched houseboat Bhramonshaili was carrying relatives and family members of the owner on its maiden voyage. After visiting the Watch Tower area, the boat was heading towards the border-side Niladri Lake when the accident occurred.

Witnesses said Nijhum was moving across the vessel when she accidentally fell onto the exposed operating engine. Passengers immediately stopped the engine and rushed to rescue her, but she died from her injuries on the spot.

Houseboat owner Pankaj Roy said the trip was intended to celebrate the launch of the new vessel with family members. “What was supposed to be a joyful occasion turned into an unimaginable tragedy,” he said.

The child's father, SI Swapan Chandra Sarkar, said his wife and two daughters had joined relatives on the trip. He described the loss of his daughter as a devastating blow to the family.

Confirming the incident, Tahirpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Aminul Islam said the child died in an accidental fall during the excursion. As the family did not file any complaint, the body was handed over to relatives after completion of the required legal formalities.