The missing driver of a speedboat that capsized in the Naf River at Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar today (October 14) was rescued after four hours.
The child, identified as Smriti Noor Alisha, 8, is missing.
So far, nine passengers of the speedboat have been rescued.
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Khurshed Alam, president of the Teknaf-Saint Martin Motor Boat Owners Association and a member of the Saint Martin upazila parish, said the incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. at Golgola Point on the Naf River.
“This morning, a speedboat departed from Saint Martin Island towards Shahpari Island with ten passengers. “After reaching the Golgola point on the Naf River, the speedboat capsized due to strong waves, causing all on board to float in the water,” he said, quoting local authorities. fishermen.
“Local fishermen and another speedboat managed to rescue nine people alive. However, the speedboat driver and one child were still missing initially,” Khurshid added.
He said that following the incident, local fishermen and coast guard members carried out a search and rescue operation to look for the missing persons. Mohammad Belal, a speedboat driver, managed to swim to shore near the southern area of Mistry Para on Shahpari Island around 4 p.m.
Mohammad Saddam Hossain, the father of the missing child, said: “My wife, I and our two children swam 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 that after being rescued, they were admitted to the Teknaf Upazila Health Complex.
Mohammad Adnan Chowdhury, UN member in Teknaf, said he learned about the incident on the way to Shahpari Island from local sources.
“Initially, one child and the driver were missing. At that time, information was available that nine other people had been rescued alive. The driver was found. More details will be provided after talking to those interested,” he added.
The UN said local fishermen, the coast guard and other involved parties were continuing to search and rescue the missing child.
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