The bodies of eight more people have been recovered following a collision between a sand-laden bulk carrier and a passenger speedboat on the Padma River in Madaripur’s Shibchar.The death toll rose to 26 as of Monday morning, said Rahima Khatun, Madaripur deputy commissioner.
Authorities have confirmed the identities of five of the dead, she told media. The bodies will be turned over to their families.
The speedboat was headed from a pier in Munshiganj’s Shimulia to the Banglabazar pier in Madaripur’s Shibchar around 7 am on Monday when it collided with the sand-laden bulk carrier.Previously 18 people had been reported dead following the accident, according to Md Asaduzzaman, the Shibchar Upazila Nirbahi Officer.
The death toll could climb further as river police continued rescue efforts, he had told bdnews24.com.
Witnesses at Shimulia port said that there were at least 30 passengers on board the speedboat.
