Karatoya trawler tragedy: Death toll rises to 34

The death toll from the trawler capsize in the Karatoya River rose to 34 as eight more bodies were retrieved from the river in Boda upazila of Panchagarh Monday morning.

Twenty-three of the deceased were identified as Kabita Rani, 50, Dipankar, 3, Priyanta, 3, Shreyshi, 3, Tonusri, 5,  Priyanti, 5, Usshi,3, Shyamoli, 14, Lakshmi Rani, 25, Shobha Rani, 27,  Khuki Rani, 35, Promila Rani, 55,  Tara Rani, 20, Shoneka Rani, 60, Falguni Rani,55, Promila, 70,  Dhanobala, 47,  Sumitra Rani, 57, Sofalata Rani, 40,  Shyamali Bala, 36, Amal Chandra, 35,  Bilas Chandra, 50 and  Hasan Ali, 70.

Divers from three firefighting units recovered the bodies, including that of two women and a child, from the river at 6am, said Deputy Assistant Director of Panchagarh Fire Service and Civil Defence Sheikh Mohammad Mahabubul Islam.

On Sunday, the trawler carrying 60-70 passengers, including women and children, sank in the middle of the river while heading towards Badheshwar Temple on the occasion of Mayalaya around 2:30 pm.

Twenty five bodies were recovered from the river on that day while many others managed to swim ashore. Besides, six people remained missing, police said.

The search operation to trace the missing ones is underway.

The tragedy on the waterway took place due to the overloading of passengers.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed profound shock and sorrow at the deaths of the people.

In separate condolence messages, they conveyed deepest sympathy to the family members of the deceased.