Missing child’s body recovered from Meghna River 24 hours after drowning

The body of a nine-year-old boy, who went missing after drowning in the Meghna River in Ashuganj upazila of Brahmanbaria, was recovered on Friday morning (June 12), nearly 24 hours after the incident.

The deceased was identified as Hasan, son of late Tanvir Mia of Miyapara village in Bakshiganj upazila of Jamalpur.

Following his father's death, Hasan had been living with his mother, Mitu Begum, and grandfather, Md Robin Mia, in a rented house in the Hospital Road area of Ashuganj.

According to family members, Hasan went to bathe with several friends in a water discharge channel of Ashuganj Power Station Company Limited on Thursday morning. At one stage, he was swept away by the strong current and disappeared beneath the water.

Upon receiving the information, a Fire Service diving team launched a rescue operation at around 11:00am and continued searching until 5:00pm. However, despite hours of efforts, rescuers were unable to locate the child. The operation was later suspended with the consent of the family.

On Friday morning, local residents spotted a body floating in the Meghna River near the under-construction cargo terminal on the Ashuganj side and informed the authorities.

A team from Bhairab River Police subsequently recovered the body from the scene.

Ashuganj Fire Service Station Officer Md Abul Hossain said rescue personnel had conducted an extensive search operation on Thursday but were unable to trace the missing child.

Confirming the recovery, Ashuganj River Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Moniruzzaman said police responded immediately after receiving information from locals and relatives.

"The body was recovered from the river this morning. Further legal procedures are being carried out in consultation with the family and in accordance with instructions from higher authorities," he said.