Eight killed as sea-truck sinks

At least eight people, including four children, were killed when a sea-truck partially capsized in the Meghna river yesterday with over 100 passengers on board.
The deceased were identified as Shurabhi Bala Das, 35, Rokeya Begum, 30, Abbas, 22, Sonia, 15, Rajib, 3, Badsha, 2, Ibrahim, 2, and Sharif, 1. All of them are from Hatiya upazila of Noakhali district.
Sirajul Islam, deputy commissioner of the district, confirmed the death of eight people.
The vessel was caught in a storm around 8:50am while it was heading towards Hatiya upazila headquarters from Chairman ghat, said Khorshed Alam, officer-in-charge of Hatiya Police Station.
As the master of the sea-truck quickly tried to anchor the vessel near Nalchira ghat of the river, it partially capsized in the river, he said.
The vessel's passengers fell into the river and were washed away by the strong current of the river, he added.
Locals rescued many passengers from the river soon after the incident.
On information, coast guards from Hatiya joined them and recovered the bodies from the river.
28 rescued people were admitted to Hatiya Upazila Health Complex.