Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, July 28, 2026 (BSS)- A man and his son are missing after an engine-
driven boat capsized in the Padma River in Rajshahi, with six other 
passengers rescued alive. 

The accident occurred around 12:40 pm today in the middle of the Padma River 
in the Bara Kuthi area of the city.
 
The two missing are Afsar Ali, 60, and his son Ziarul Haque, 40. Their home 
is in the Shyampur Balurghat area under Katakhali Police Station in Rajshahi. 

Ziarul's mother, Jahera Begum, 55, was also on the boat. When the boat sank, 
she was being swept away. Locals then rescued her by boat. Five others were 
similarly rescued and brought to shore.
 
According to eyewitnesses, eight passengers were bringing Jhao trees cut from 
the Char Majardia area of Rajshahi by boat. When the boat reached the middle 
of the river, it was hit by strong waves. At one point, the boat sank.
 
Seeing the boat sink, other boatmen, waiting on the riverbank in the Padma 
Garden area, and local eyewitnesses quickly rushed to rescue them.
 
With their immediate help, six of the eight passengers who were struggling in 
the water were rescued alive. However, in a moment, Afsar Ali and his son 
Ziarul were swept away by the river current.
 
Upon receiving the news, a diver team from the Fire Service quickly reached 
the spot. As of the last update at 5 pm, there was no trace of the missing 
father and son or the boat. 

Members of the Fire Service diver team are continuing the rescue operation at 
various points in the Padma River.
 
Manjil Haque, deputy director of the Rajshahi Sadar Station of Fire Service 
and Civil Defence, said they are trying to rescue the two missing persons. 

"We have six divers. They are searching underwater in pairs. Besides that, 
the river is also being monitored by boat." 

He also said their operation would continue until evening to rescue the two.