Naf river speed boat capsize: Driver rescued after 4 hours, child still missing
The missing driver of a speedboat, that capsized at the Naf River of Teknaf, Cox's Bazar, earlier today (14 October), was rescued after four hours.
A child, identified as Smriti Noor Alisha, 8, remained missing.
So far, nine passengers of the speedboat have been rescued alive.
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Khurshed Alam, president of the Teknaf-Saint Martin Speedboat Owners Association and a Saint Martin upazila parishad member, said the incident occurred around 11:30am at the Golgola Point of the Naf River.
"The speedboat departed with ten passengers from Saint Martin Island towards Shahpari Island this morning. Upon reaching the Golgola Point of the Naf River, the speedboat capsized due to strong waves, leaving everyone on board floating in the water," he said, quoting local fishermen.
"Local fishermen and another speedboat managed to rescue nine people alive. However, the speedboat driver and one child remained missing initially," Khurshid added.
He said local fishermen and Coast Guard members conducted a search and rescue operation for the missing individuals following the incident. Mohammad Belal, the speedboat driver, managed to swim ashore near the southern Mistry Para area of Shahpari Island around 4pm.
Mohammad Saddam Hossain, father of the missing child, said, "My wife and I, along with our two children, were floating in the water for up to an hour after the speedboat capsized.
"Eventually, a local fisherman's trawler and another speedboat managed to rescue three of us, but one of our children remained missing."
The survivors said they were admitted to the Teknaf Upazila Health Complex after being rescued.
Mohammad Adnan Chowdhury, the UNO of Teknaf, said he heard about the incident on the way to Shahpari Island through local sources.
"Initially, one child and the driver were missing. At that time, information was available that nine others had been rescued alive. The driver has since been found. More details will be provided after speaking with the parties concerned," he added.
The UNO said local fishermen, the Coast Guard, and other involved parties are continuing their search and rescue efforts for the missing child.
