Teenager found dead 5 hours after drowning in Kaptai Lake

A 17-year-old boy who went missing while swimming in Kaptai Lake in Rangamati was found dead about five hours later, officials said on Saturday.

The deceased, identified as Nabajit Chakma, had entered the lake with a friend near Jarultala in the Kaindyarmukh area of Balukhali Union under Rangamati Sadar upazila. He reportedly sank into deep water while swimming and went missing.

Nabajit was the son of Pradip Chowdhury of the Tetultala area in Khagrachhari Sadar upazila.

Newton Das, acting assistant director of Rangamati Fire Service and Civil Defence, confirmed the incident. He said a specialized diving team was dispatched to the scene after receiving reports of the teenager's disappearance.

According to Newton Das, local residents initially attempted to locate the boy by casting a large fishing net into the lake before informing the Fire Service. As a result, divers searched the original location for an extended period.

“Toward the end of the operation, we learned that locals had already used a net in the area. The net likely dragged the body away from the original spot,” Newton Das said.

“After receiving that information, we shifted the search area and recovered the body within 10 minutes,” he added.

The body was later handed over to police.

Rangamati Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Jasim Uddin said police completed the necessary inquest procedures after taking custody of the body.

As the family raised no allegations and submitted a written request, the body was returned to relatives without an autopsy, he said.