Child dies as boat capsizes on return from Durga Puja in Pirojpur, mother missing
Photo: Agamir Somoy
A child drowned when a boat capsized near the Sriramkathi Bharatkathi ferry terminal along the border between Nazirpur and Nesarabad upazilas in Pirojpur. The child’s mother remains missing.
The accident occurred around 9:00 pm on Monday, 19 October, in the Kaliganga River or near the adjacent ferry terminal. Nazirpur Police Station Officer in Charge Tarikul Islam said the boat capsized because it was carrying too many passengers and motorcycles.
The deceased child, Arpita Bepari (8), was the daughter of Shankar Bepari, a resident of Bharatkathi village in Guarekha Union of Nesarabad Upazila. Shankar’s wife Rina Bepari (35), remains missing following the accident.
According to local sources, Shankar Bepari had come to his village from Dhaka with his family for the Durga Puja holidays. On Monday night, they were returning home by boat after visiting Puja venues in the Sriramkathi area. However, the boat capsized shortly after departing from Nazirpur for Bharatkathi. Most passengers managed to reach the shore by swimming or with help from local residents. However, Rina Bepari and child Arpita drowned. The boat was reportedly carrying more than 50 passengers and six motorcycles.
After receiving the news, a Fire Service diving team launched a rescue operation and recovered Arpita’s body at around 11:10 pm. The body was handed over to her family that night.
Pirojpur Fire Service Deputy Director Raihanur Ashraf said the child was recovered that night but the rescue operation was suspended because of darkness. The operation to rescue missing Rina Bepari would resume on Tuesday morning.
Nazirpur Police Station Officer in Charge Tarikul Islam said the accident occurred because the boat was carrying too many passengers and too much cargo. Necessary legal procedures are underway in connection with the incident.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sajia Shahnaz Tama said the administration had been supervising rescue efforts since the accident. She said legal action would be taken against anyone found responsible for negligence in the incident.
