At least 22 killed as trawler capsizes in Brahmanbaria 

At least 22 people drowned as a trawler with passengers on board capsized after being hit by a sand laden trawler in Brahmanbaria on Friday.

Besides, some others were rescued and rushed to the hospital in critical condition, said Officer-in-Charge of Sadar Model Police Station Md Emranul Islam.

The Anandabazar bound trawler with more than 100 passengers capsized in Bijoynagar after it collided head-on with a sand laden trawler around 5:15pm, he said.

Although many passengers managed to swim ashore but dozens others are still missing, Md Emranul stated.

Police and officials from Fire Service and Civil Defence rushed to the spot and are operating the rescue operation, the OC said.

A three-member probe body has been formed over the accident, said Deputy Commissioner, Hayat Ud-Daula Khan.  

The probe body is scheduled to submit its report within the next three working days.

Besides, local administration will provide Tk20,000 to the families of each deceased victim while injured ones will get free treatment, DC said.

On Friday evening, locals detained three people in connection with the incident from Charaislampur in Bijoynagar upazila.

They are- Jamir Mia, 35, of Sholabari area of ​​Panishwar union of Sarail upazila, Md Khokon, 22 and Md Rasel, 18. Jamir was the trawler's boatman. The other two were his associates.

Brahmanbaria Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Mozammel Hossain Reza said, "Three people, including the boatman, were detained while trying to flee after the incident. They have been kept in police custody."

Meanwhile, the upazila administration gave directives to temporarily suspend all water vessels from plying from Bijoynagar.

On the other hand, the sunken trawler could not be salvaged even after 16 hours of the accident. Fire service personnel carried out rescue work till 1 am yesterday. Then at 8 am, a BIWTA team came to the spot and started the rescue operation.

Brahmanbaria Fire Service Deputy Director Taufiqul Islam said, "The fire service team has resumed rescue work at 8:45 am today."

Among the deceased, the identities of 16 have been known so far. They are Momena Begum, 55, from Poirotola area of ​​Brahmanbaria municipality, Kajal Begum, 40, Tasfia Mim, 12, daughter of Mubarak Miah of Datiyara area, Tanvir, 8, son of Murad Hossain of Sadekpur village in Sadar upazila, Taqwa, 8, daughter of Abdullah Miah of Chilokut village, Sajim, 7, son of Jamal Miah of Narsinghsar village, Sharmin, 18, daughter of Jharu Miah of Bhatpara village, Arif Billah, 20, from Fatehpur village in Champaknagar union, Manju Begum, 60, of Beragaon village, Farida Begum, 47, her daughter Munni, 10, Kamla Begum, 52, Minara Begum, 50, of Nurpur village, Anjani Biswas, 30, of Adampur village, Tithiba Biswas, 2, daughter of Parimal Biswas, Jharna Begum, 45, and Nashra, 3, daughter of Harish Miah of Poirotola area of Brahmanbaria district town.