A makeshift drum bridge collapsed on Eid day in Dewanganj upazila of Jamalpur district, plunging over a hundred people into the Brahmaputra River and killing three children. 

Two more children remain missing.

The disaster struck on Saturday afternoon, near Dewanganj police station as large crowds gathered on and around the bridge for Eid outings, a tradition in the area every year.

The three children who died were identified as Abdul Motaleb, 6, and his sister Khadija, 12, children of Sher Ali from the Kalurchar area, and Mayamoni, 10, daughter of Joynal from Dakatiyapara. Both families are from Dewanganj.

Local sources said the bridge had been in a deteriorating and risky condition for a long time. On Eid afternoon, an unusually large number of people gathered on the structure, and the excessive weight caused it to suddenly give way. 

More than a hundred people fell into the river. While many managed to swim to safety, several children were swept away by the current. Three were confirmed dead at the scene.

Fire service personnel and local residents launched a rescue operation immediately after the incident. Dewanganj Fire Service leader Mubin Khan confirmed the deaths and said the search for the two missing children is continuing.

FP/A