A passenger boat carrying 39 people capsized in the Meghna river near Hatia upazila while en route from Bhasan Char to Noakhali amidst stormy weather and strong tidal waves.
So far, 32 people were rescued while seven passengers, including a policeman, remained missing, Hatia Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Alauddin told.
Rescue operations were ongoing to locate the missing passengers.
The accident took place around 3:00pm near Dubarchar, adjacent to Karim Bazar.
According to Bhasan Char Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Kutub Uddin, the boat had departed from Bhasan Char at 12:00pm carrying six Rohingya patients, three police officers, and other passengers, including members of Ansar and NGO officials.
It was scheduled to arrive at Alibazar in Hatia's Horoni union around 3:00pm but sank due to strong tidal surges and inclement weather.
The authorities have alerted the navy and Coast Guard.
Search efforts by the river police and Coast Guard were being hindered by strong currents and rough waters.
Noakhali Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Operations) Mohammad Ibrahim said law-enforcing team had been dispatched to the site.
Reports indicate that Saiful Islam, a nayek from Bhasan Char Police Station, is among the missing.
Further details can be provided as the rescue operation progresses, Ibrahim added.
FP/MI
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