A boat is seen on the Surma river in Jamalganj upazila of Sunamganj district. Photo: Star/File

Three people drowned as a sand-laden engine boat capsized in Surma river in Sunamganj Sadar upazila during heavy rain early today.

The deceased are: Saimon, 28, Fayez, 27, and Jamir Ali, 26, of Sreepur village in Sadar upazila, reports our Sylhet correspondent.

Seven people were sleeping inside the boat when it sank at Mallikpur ghat around 5:30am, said Farid Mia, a sub-inspector of Sunamganj Sadar Police Station.

Sensing danger, four of them got off the boat while the rest three went under the water, the SI said.

Being failed to rescue the trio, locals informed police, who later recovered the bodies.