Security Forces Rescue Eleven After Kaptai Lake Boat Capsizes

Eleven people, including a pregnant woman, were successfully rescued by security forces after a passenger boat capsized in Kaptai Lake. The incident occurred on Wednesday at approximately 7:45 pm in the Killa Pahar area, located within Ward No. 2 of Balukhali Union under the Rangamati Sadar Upazila.

Incident Overview and Cause

According to the Rangamati Sadar Upazila administration, the vessel was transporting eleven passengers at the time of the accident. The passengers, all members of the Tripura community and residents of the Killa Para area, were returning home after attending festivities for Baisuk, the primary traditional festival of the Tripura people.

The capsize was attributed to a sudden shift in weight distribution. Reports indicate that the passengers moved to one side of the boat simultaneously, causing the vessel to tilt sharply. This imbalance allowed water to pour in from the opposite side, leading to the rapid submersion of the craft.

The Rescue Operation

The accident took place between 300 and 400 metres from the Rajmonipara Army Camp, which falls under the Jurachhari Zone of the district. A soldier on duty at the camp witnessed the vessel sinking and immediately alerted the Camp Commander.

Acting with urgency, members of the security forces launched a rescue boat and reached the site of the capsize within minutes. All eleven passengers—comprising men, women, and children—were pulled from the water alive. Among the survivors was a pregnant woman whose condition required immediate clinical intervention. She was promptly transported to Rangamati General Hospital for advanced medical care. The remaining ten survivors were provided with necessary assistance and subsequently handed over to their respective families.

Incident Summary Table

Official Statements and Background

The Rangamati Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Mohammad Kamrul Hossain, confirmed the details of the accident to the media. He stated that the trawler sank while the passengers were en route home from the Baisuk festival, but reaffirmed that a swift response ensured there were no fatalities.

Biplab Tripura, a member of Ward No. 2 of the Balukhali Union Parishad, corroborated that all those on board were local residents of Killa Para. He further noted that one individual sustained minor injuries during the incident and is currently receiving treatment at Rangamati General Hospital.

Kaptai Lake, where the incident occurred, is the largest man-made lake in Bangladesh, created in 1962 following the construction of the Kaptai Dam on the Karnaphuli River. It is a vital transport artery for the Chittagong Hill Tracts; however, during local festivals like Baisuk, water traffic increases significantly. Security forces maintain several outposts in the region to ensure safety and respond to such emergencies, as demonstrated by the timely intervention of the Rajmonipara Army Camp personnel.