Three bodies recovered from Shitalakshya River, one still missing

Three of four people who went missing after entering the Shitalakshya River for a swim in Narsingdi’s Shibpur have been found dead, while a search continues for the remaining victim.

The deceased were identified as Md Obaidullah, 38, of Kaliganj in Gazipur; Shanta, 16, of Kapasia; and Sourabh, 18, of Shibpur. The fourth victim, Md Shanto, 24, from Tangail, remains missing.

According to police and local residents, several relatives had gathered at the home of Majnu Mia in Lakhpur village of Dulalpur Union. On Friday afternoon, they went swimming in the nearby river. Three of them began drowning after entering the water, and Sourabh went in to help them but was also swept away by the strong current.

Locals attempted to rescue them after hearing cries for help and later alerted the Fire Service. The rescue operation began around 4:30pm Friday but was suspended at night due to poor visibility.

A team of divers from Bhairab joined the Fire Service on Saturday morning and recovered three bodies. Shibpur Fire Service leader Islam Khan said the team first recovered two bodies before finding the third.

The search for Shanto was still underway, he said.