Barguna : Five people drowned and two others went missing as a trawler with over 100 passengers capsized in Payra River at Tetulbaria in Taltoli upazila on Friday afternoon.

The deceased was identified as Amir Ali, 40, Joynal,38, Yusuf Ali, 45, Nayeem, 28, and Shafiquddin, 38.

Rescued trawler passenger Noor Mohammad said the mechanised boat was caught in a whirlwind and capsized.

Earlier, Dulal Faraji, Sonakata UP chairman, said the trawler with over 200 Muslim devotees sank near the estuary of the Payra river around 1:15 pm as cracks developed in its bottom after it hit a hidden shoal.

The devotees were going to join a Waj Mahfil at Chaladanga Darbar Sharif in Patharghata upazila from Kuakata of Patuakhali district, he added.

Witnesses said the engine boat with 100 passengers on board sailed for Barguna from Kuakata at about 10am. Later, 100 more passengers were taken from Sonarchar in Taltali.

Coastguard Patharghata base contingent commander Rahatuzzaman confirmed  five bodies among seven missing persons have, so far, been recovered.
 
On information, Barguna DC Meer Zahurul Islam and Superintendent of Police M Saiful  Islam rushed to the scene.

LY