The death toll in the boat accident in the Karatoya river of Panchagarh in Bangladesh has risen to 50. According to Bangladesh’s official news agency BSS, 26 more bodies were retrieved yesterday. The dead included 24 women, 15 men and 11 children. 29 persons are still missing.
The accident took place in Panchagarh when a boat of devotees was on its way to the Badheshwari temple to attend the Mahalaya festival. The boat capsized due to loss of control in midstream.
The incident took place near Auliya Ghat on Sunday afternoon. Taka 20 thousand has been announced to the next of kin of the dead and Taka 10 thousand to the injured. A five-member committee has been formed to investigate the accident, which will submit its report in three days. Bangladesh President M. Abdul Hameed and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed grief over the incident and offered condolences to the victims.