2 Drown As Boat Capsizes in Rajshahi

Two women drowned as their straw-laden boat capsized in the Padma River adjacent to Shrirampur area under Rajpara police station in the city this evening.

Officer-in-charge of River Police Obaidur Rahman told the media that the deceased were identified as Acchia Begum, 35, wife of Sumon Ali, and Rasheda Begum, 45, wife of Alam Hossain, both are the residents of Sonaikandi village under Damkura police station.

He said a straw-laden boat with 15 people on board was coming to boat ghat at Shrirampur from across the river, but suddenly the vessel capsized due to the strong current of the river. Around 13 passengers swim ashore.

Local people found the women floating near the river bank. Immediately, they were taken to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital where the attending doctors declared them dead.