Boatman swept away in ‘knee-deep water’ of Jamuna

A veteran boatman has gone missing after falling into knee-deep water and getting swept away by a powerful undercurrent in the Jamuna River under Kazipur upazila of Sirajganj.

The accident took place near the Dhekuria Eco Park in Maijbari union along the eastern bank of the river around 5:15 pm on Thursday, Kazipur Police chief Shah Md Enayetur Rahman said.

The missing man, 58-year-old Abdur Rashid, has been navigating boats on the Jamuna to earn his living since childhood, reports bdnews24.com.

Former local Union Parishad member Mokhlesur Rahman explained that a storm on Thursday morning had damaged Rashid’s boat while it was moored at the terminal.

To fix the vessel, Rashid took his son and three other individuals to a shoal on the eastern bank of the Jamuna near the eco park in the afternoon.

Because the water level was exceptionally low in that specific area, the hull became stuck against the riverbed.

Rashid stepped into the river to push and float the boat back into deeper water, but despite the shallow depth, the spot was plagued by a fierce current.

Locals believe he fell into the river and was swept away after failing to get back up. His son and the others with him searched immediately but could not find him.

Police officer Enayetur said members of the Fire Service and Civil Defence later joined the search operation, but Rashid remained missing until evening.

The search operation will resume on Friday, he added.