Overloaded country boat drowns with 50 on board in Katakhal river; 3 missing

Today evening at around 3:00 PM a country boat with 50 passengers turned upside down mid water in Katakhal river. The incident took place in Hailakandi districts Lalamukh Ferry ghat. As per available informatio, the final match of a football tournament was scheduled today evening at North Jyotsnabad area and the youth of Lalamukh Tea Estate was travelling in large numbers on the other side of the river to witness the football match.

The boats sailing there had a capacity of 15 passengers but due to the heavy crowd it propelled off the shore with 50 on-board. While 47 of them managed to swim to the bank of the river three succumbed to the heavy current in the river. They are identified as Sumit Pansi 27 years old, and his brother 22 years old Ajay Pansi. The third missing passenger is 38 years old Ramesh Pansi.

Officer In-charge of Lala Police outpost M Islam, CI Tanvir Ahmed led a battalion to the spot immediately after receiving information about the tragic accident. Jawans of State Disaster Response Force also started a search operation. After several rounds with their life-boat they decided to stop the search operation as it got dark.

The incident has caused a state of mourning in Hailakandi district. Though there is a little hope of finding them alive, the residents kept their fingers crossed. SRDF will resume the search operation tomorrow morning.