21 dead, 50 missing after trawler capsizes in Brahmanbaria

At least 21 people, including a seven-year-old, died and 50 remain missing after a trawler carrying them capsized in Laishka Beel at Deodona area of Brahmanbaria's Bijoynagar upazila this evening.

Five of the deceased were identified so far. They are Maisha (7), Siraj (60), Anjana Biswas, Farida Begum and Minara Begum, reports our Brahmanbaria correspondent quoting Toufikul Islam Bhuiyan, deputy assistant director of the district fire station.

Identities of the rest could not be known immediately.

"Locals have recovered 19 bodies while our divers recovered two more soon after after we launched our rescue operation at 11:00pm," he said, adding that their search operation for the missing persons will continue.

Hayat-Ud-Doula Khan, deputy commissioner (DC) of the district, said at least 50 passengers are still missing.

He added that they have already formed a three-member probe body to identify cause of the accident.

Locals and witnesses said the trawler left Champaknagar Ghat in Bijoynagar upazila at around 5:30pm with around 120 passengers on board. It was heading towards Anandabazar Ghat of sadar upazila.

When the trawler reached Laishka Beel, which is connected to Titas river, it collided with a small boat. The trawler's driver tied to save the boat and lost control of the vessel.

At the same time, two cargo vessels were coming from the opposite direction.

Both the cargo vessels hit the trawler that capsized quickly, said survivors and witnesses.

"I was grazing cattle on the bank of the beel. Suddenly, I heard a loud noise and saw the cargo vessels hitting the passenger trawler. I saw the trawler sinking quickly," said Nurul Amin, an eye witness.

Hearing the news, hundreds of people thronged the spot and started rescue efforts.

Relatives and family members of missing people were seen desperately looking for their near and dear ones.

Visiting the spot, the DC announced Tk 20,000 for each of the deceased's families.