A truck plunged into the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram on Thursday night after the driver reportedly lost control while attempting to board a ferry near the Kalurghat Bridge area in Boalkhali upazila. The incident occurred at approximately 9:30 pm, triggering an immediate emergency response from local rescue teams and firefighters.
According to eyewitness accounts, the vehicle was in the process of aligning itself to board the ferry when it suddenly veered off course and fell into the river, quickly sinking into the strong current. One individual who jumped from the truck during the incident was rescued in a critically injured condition. He was later identified by locals as the driver of the vehicle.
The driver has been named as Md Osman, son of Mozzafar Ahmed from Ukhiya upazila in Cox’s Bazar. He currently resides in a rented accommodation in the Kalamia Bazar area under Bakalia police station in Chattogram city. Following the rescue, he was initially taken to Boalkhali Upazila Health Complex and subsequently transferred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment due to the severity of his injuries.
Local residents informed the Fire Service that another person, believed to be the truck’s assistant, may have gone missing following the accident. However, authorities stated that this information has not yet been officially confirmed. Despite uncertainty, rescue teams conducted extensive search operations in the river until around 11:30 pm on Thursday night, but no additional victims were recovered.
Fire Service officials from the Boalkhali sub-station confirmed that the submerged truck has not yet been located. They added that operations would resume on Friday morning with renewed efforts, including continued river searches.
Incident Summary
| Time | Location | Event | Casualties | Rescue Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ~9:30 pm, 2 April | Kalurghat Bridge area, Karnaphuli River | Truck lost control while boarding ferry and fell into river | 1 injured (rescued), 1 reportedly missing (unconfirmed) | Search ongoing; no recovery of submerged vehicle |
This incident comes only days after a tragic ferry-related accident in another part of the country, raising renewed concerns about river transport safety and the operational risks associated with ferry terminals and loading zones. Authorities are expected to conduct further investigations to determine the exact cause of the accident, including possible mechanical failure, human error, or procedural lapses during the ferry boarding process.
Search and rescue operations are set to continue as officials attempt to locate the submerged vehicle and verify reports of any additional missing persons.
