1 killed, dozens missing in Bangladesh boat accident

DHAKA, 07 March 2020 [Fik/News Sources]: One child was killed and dozens of others are missing Saturday as two bridal boats capsized in Bangladesh, according to reports.

At least 34 people are missing in the accident on the way to Gangerhat village in Poba Upazila of Rajshahi district on the north bank of the Padma River, according to the Dhaka Tribune newspaper.

The boats were carrying a bridal party of 40 people and capsized around 7 p.m. local time Friday. Six people, including one child, managed to reached the banks of the river, but the child was declared dead by doctors after victims were rushed to the hospital.

The groom managed to escape but the bride is missing.

A Rajshahi Fire Service and civil defense official told Anadolu Agency divers are conducting a rescue operation.

The official said authorities are yet to confirm the number missing as residents, including those rescued, could not confirm the number of passengers on the boats.

Media reports put the number missing at 34 but authorities suspect, after talking to residents, that about 30 people are missing, the official said.

The possibility of rescuing those missing is low, however, being 12 hours after the accident of boat capsized, the official said.

“Demanding bodily rights as a basic human right, regardless of age. It extended to children as well, and was especially important to think of with regards to the widespread incidents of child sexual abuse and murder, all over the country”, she added.

Jamat-e-Islami, for its part, is going to organize a rival women conference in Karachi apart from holding rallies, and seminars across the country.

The party is observing the day as “Women respect day”.

Banners and billboards engraved with demands for a better environment for women at the workplace, transport, health, and education facilities, due right in the family property, and heavy punishment for honor killings, have been put up across the country by the politico-religious party.

“Those handfuls of women carrying the misleading themes do not represent Pakistani women. They have nothing to do with women's rights”, said Durdana Siddiqui, the general secretary of Jamat’s women wing. “Our agenda is very clear. We want to ensure the women’s respect in every field of life in accordance with teachings of Islam, and our cultural values, “she added.