DHAKA – Rescuers on Monday have recovered 26 more bodies from a boat capsize in Bangladesh’s northern district of Panchagarh taking the total death count to 51, according to officials.
The passenger boat, carrying mostly Hindu pilgrims, capsized on Sunday while it was heading toward a temple for a religious festival, according to police.
“Twenty five people are still missing,” additional district magistrate Dipankar Roy told Anadolu Agency, while also confirming the death toll.
The bodies were recovered from the Atrai River in Dinajpur, which flows through the northern parts of Bangladesh.
Officials feared the death count could increase further as strong currents could have taken bodies away in the Karatoya River that flows through the district.
Seasonal natural calamities such as storms and cyclones, foggy weather in winter, lack of vessel fitness, unskilled drivers, and overloading have been identified as the main causes of those accidents.
Source: Somali National News Agency