Woman still missing 20 hours after boat capsize in Karnaphuli river

Rescue teams continued search operations for a young woman who went missing after a boat capsized in the Karnaphuli River in Rangunia upazila of Chattogram.

The missing woman was identified as Konika Das, 19. As of 6:00pm Thursday (May 28) — nearly 20 hours after the accident — rescuers had yet to locate her.

According to officials, the boat capsized around 11:30am on Wednesday near Dewanji Ghat in the Chandraghona area after being caught in a sudden Kalbaishakhi storm while crossing the river.

Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence personnel conducted daylong rescue efforts on Wednesday but failed to trace the missing woman. The operation was temporarily suspended in the evening before resuming again Thursday morning.

Rangunia Fire Service official Jahedur Rahman said divers are continuing searches around the accident site as well as upstream and downstream areas of the river. Public announcements are also being made through loudspeakers in surrounding areas to assist the operation.

Police and local sources said six members of the same family, including two children, were travelling by a small wooden boat from Kodala ferry ghat to Dewanji Ghat to attend a family অনুষ্ঠান at Minarpara village in Chandraghona.

Midway through the journey, the boat was struck by a powerful storm and overturned in the river. Locals rushed to the scene with boats and managed to rescue five people alive, including Poli Das, 22, Anish Ghosh, 6, Raj Ghosh, 2, Rubel Ghosh, 35, and the boatman.

All the passengers are members of the family of Rupen Ghosh from Purba Kodala village.

Officer-in-Charge of Rangunia Police Station Md. Zahir Uddin said police were deployed immediately after receiving news of the capsize and rescue efforts remain ongoing with the assistance of the Fire Service.

“Until Thursday evening, the missing woman could not be located. The search operation is continuing,” the OC said.