Two Sisters Die After Flood Boat Capsizes in Cox’s Bazar

Two young sisters lost their lives after a small boat carrying them across floodwaters capsized in Chakaria Upazila of Cox’s Bazar, highlighting the growing dangers faced by families living in flood-affected areas.

The tragic incident occurred on Friday morning in Rasulabad, under Baraitali Union, where rising floodwaters had inundated homes and forced residents to seek shelter on higher ground. The victims were identified as 12-year-old Hasnatul Jannat Jhorna and her seven-year-old sister Jerin, daughters of local resident Abdul Malek.

According to local sources, the three sisters were travelling by a small boat after their family home became submerged by floodwater. They were attempting to reach a safer location when the vessel was caught in a powerful current and overturned. All three children were thrown into the fast-moving water.

Residents immediately launched a rescue effort and managed to pull two of the girls, Sawrin Moni and Jerin, from the floodwater in critical condition. They were rushed to hospital for emergency treatment. Jhorna, however, was swept away by the strong current and remained missing despite frantic searches by local people.

After being informed of the incident, a rescue team from Chakaria Fire Service arrived at the scene and began an extensive search operation. The rescue mission continued for nearly six hours before firefighters recovered Jhorna’s body at around 2:00 pm on Friday. Her body was later handed over to the grieving family.

The tragedy deepened while the rescue operation was still underway. Jerin, who had been receiving treatment in hospital after being rescued from the water, succumbed to her injuries at around 1:00 pm, her father confirmed.

Baraitali Union Parishad Chairman Salehuzzaman verified the incident, saying the boat capsized after being overwhelmed by the strong current while transporting flood-affected residents to safer ground. Although rescuers initially managed to recover two of the children alive, Jhorna could not be saved, and Jerin later died despite medical efforts.

The incident has once again drawn attention to the severe risks faced by communities during seasonal flooding in low-lying parts of Bangladesh. As floodwaters continue to isolate villages and submerge homes, many residents are left with little choice but to rely on small boats for transportation, often navigating dangerous currents with limited safety measures. Such conditions significantly increase the risk of accidents, particularly for children and vulnerable family members.

Local authorities continue to monitor the flood situation, while residents have urged greater support for safe evacuation and emergency rescue measures in vulnerable areas to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.