Teenager's body recovered after boat capsizes in Chakaria

The body of a teenager named Hasnatul Jannat Jharna, 12, who went missing after a boat capsized in flood waters in Chakaria upazila of Cox's Bazar, has been recovered.

On Friday (July 10), a fire service diving team recovered her body from the Rasulabad area of ​​the upazila's Baritali union around 2 pm. Jharna is the daughter of local resident Abdul Malek.

Earlier, Abdul Malek left his flooded house around 11:30 am and set off on a boat to take shelter at a relative's house with his family members. On the way, the boat capsized in a strong current in the Rasulabad area, and Jharna and her two sisters drowned.

With the help of locals, Jharna's two sisters, Saorin Moni and Jerin, were rescued alive. Later, they were admitted to the hospital in serious condition. However, since Jharna was missing, the fire service launched a rescue operation.

Chakaria Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Arifur Rahman said that Jharna's body was recovered after a long rescue operation. The other two sisters are undergoing treatment in the hospital.

Chakaria Fire Service Inspector Didarul Haque said that the rescue operation was started immediately after receiving the news. Later, a special diving team from Chittagong joined the operation and Jharna's body was recovered in the afternoon.

Baritali Union Parishad Chairman Md. Salekuzzaman said that the continuous rain and the flood from the upstream have created strong currents in the area. Since most of the roads are under water, people are forced to travel by boat, which has increased the risk of accidents.