Staff Reporter :
Five youths went missing when their hired boat sank in the Shitalakhya river after being hit by a sand-laden cargo vessel in Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj district on Friday night.
The missing youths have been identified as factory worker Latif, 18, son of Azizul Mia, a resident of South Donia area under Kadamtali Police Station, tailor Sharif, 28, son of Robiul Mia, shoe trader Tushar, 26, son of Nasiruddin, hardware trader Babu, 20, son of Joynal Mia, residents of West Dolairpar area and Jasim, 28, son of Sirajul Islam, a resident of Barpa area under Rupganj.
However, nine others among the 14 passengers managed to swim ashore, police said.
Rupganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Moniruzzaman said police and fire-fighters launched rescue operations after the boat tragedy in the South Rupsa area around 9:30pm on Friday.
Quoting the witnesses, the OC said a group of 14 youths hired the boat for a pleasure trip from Dhaka’s Demra.
Nine of them swam ashore, but five remained missing as the boat sank after being struck by a cargo vessel from behind, he said.
Moniruzzaman said three divers of the Demra Fire Service were searching for the missing.
