Girl Drowns in Debidwar Creek, Body Recovered

An eight-year-old girl, identified as Faria Akter, has tragically drowned after being swept away by a strong current whilst bathing in a creek in the Debidwar Upazila of Cumilla. Following an intensive operation lasting approximately three hours, the fire service personnel successfully recovered her body from the watercourse.

The tragic incident occurred on Monday, 1 June, at around 12:00 pm in the Lakshar Creek, a tributary of the Titas River, situated near the Sanchail bus stand bridge under the No. 1 Boroshalghar Union of the upazila. The deceased, Faria Akter, was the daughter of Mohammad Shahadat Hossain, an employee at Probhati Fisheries in Sanchail village.

Incident and Rescue Operations

According to local sources, Faria had gone to bathe in the creek alongside her elder sister, Samira, aged 11, and several other local children. Safiullah, a local resident, noted that all the children present were capable swimmers. However, the water levels and current in the creek were exceptionally strong at the time.

As they were bathing, Faria was suddenly caught in the powerful current and began to drift away. Her elder sister, Samira, made a desperate attempt to hold onto her. Hearing the children’s cries for help, a neighbouring woman rushed to the scene and managed to pull Samira out of the water. Unfortunately, Faria slipped from her sister’s grasp and disappeared beneath the surface.

Local residents conducted an extensive initial search but were unable to locate the missing child. Consequently, they notified the Muradnagar Fire Service. A rescue team subsequently arrived at the location to commence an official search operation.

Abdul Awal Sarker, the Chairman of the No. 1 Boroshalghar Union Parishad, stated that despite the rigorous efforts of local residents, the child could not be saved by the community. Following an operation lasting nearly two hours, fire service personnel recovered Faria’s body at around 3:00 pm.

Mohammad Amjad Hossain, an official from the Muradnagar Fire Service, explained that the search was severely hampered by a combination of the fierce water current and a massive accumulation of water hyacinths, which had been trapped in that section of the creek by local farmers. The body was eventually located and pulled out from beneath the thick layer of water hyacinths.

Key Details of the Incident

Official and Police Statement

Following the recovery, Faria was immediately transported to the Debidwar Upazila Health Complex, where the attending doctor officially pronounced her dead.

The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Debidwar Police Station, Mohammad Moniruzzaman, confirmed the details of the accident, stating: “The two sisters went to bathe with family members and were swept away by the current. Local residents managed to rescue one of them, whilst the other was later retrieved by the fire service and taken to the Debidwar Upazila Health Complex, where the duty doctor declared her dead.”

The Officer-in-Charge further added that no written complaint or formal allegation has been lodged with the police station regarding the incident. However, a police team has been dispatched to the scene to verify the facts and investigate the circumstances. Should a formal complaint be submitted by the family, appropriate legal action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.