One dead, five missing after boat sinks off Bangladesh coast

One dead, five missing after boat sinks off Bangladesh coast

A passenger motorboat sank in the Meghna River near Bangladesh’s Noakhali district on Saturday, killing one person and leaving five missing, Anadolu Agency reported on Saturday. The vessel, carrying 39 passengers from Bhasan Char island to Janata Ghat in Hatia, capsized amid rough weather and tidal waves, police confirmed.

Ajmal Huda, officer in charge of Hatia Police Station, said 33 people were rescued by locals and authorities. The deceased remains unidentified, and among the missing are a police officer and a member of the paramilitary Ansar force. Survivors were taken to a nearby medical facility.

According to local media, those aboard included civilians, Rohingya refugees, security personnel, and crew members. The number of Rohingya on board remains unconfirmed.

The region has faced heavy rainfall and flooding since Thursday due to a depression in the Bay of Bengal. Maritime ports have been advised to lower storm signals as the southwest monsoon begins over Bangladesh.