Patharghata (Barguna) Correspondent

A laborer named Jahangir Hossain alias Nawab (55) died after his boat capsized in the Baleshwar River in Patharghata Upazila of Barguna while participating in a tree plantation program of the Forest Department. His body was recovered from the river after a nearly four-hour rescue operation with the help of local fishermen and locals.

On Wednesday (July 15) at around 9 am, a member of the Forest Department and 12 workers set out in a motor-driven boat to plant trees in the riverbank char area of the Padma area of Patharghata Sadar Union. On the way, the boat sank due to a sudden gust of wind.

Most of the workers and forest department personnel on the boat were able to swim to shore safely after the accident, but Jahangir Hossain went missing. Local residents, fishermen and rescuers later recovered his body in a gill net (chargara) floating in the river around 3 pm after a four-hour search.
The deceased Jahangir Hossain alias Nawab was born in Kalmegha Union of Patharghata Upazila. However, he had been living in his in-laws' house in Paschim Badurtala area of Sadar Union for a long time. At the time of his death, he left behind a wife, two sons and numerous relatives.
Local BNP leader Sumon Mollah said that Nawab was a very honest and hardworking person. Due to his good relations with the forest department, he often participated in tree plantation work on a daily wage basis. His untimely death has created deep grief in the area.
Forest Department official Md. Al-Amin said, "This is a very sad and unexpected incident. Nawab did not know how to swim, we were not aware of this. Although others were able to reach the shore, he could not return. We express our deepest condolences to his family and will provide necessary assistance."

A worker on the boat said that the whole incident happened in an instant. Even though everyone swam to save their lives, Nawab Bhai was never found.
Meanwhile, after recovering the body, the police prepared for an autopsy, but it was not done at the request of the deceased's relatives and locals. The relatives said in writing that they had no complaints against anyone in the incident.

Later, the body was handed over to the family after completing the necessary legal procedures.

Patharghata Police Station OC Abdul Alim said, "A post-mortem was conducted as per the law. However, based on the written request of the deceased's family and as there were no complaints, the body was handed over to the relatives after completing the necessary procedures."

This tragic accident has cast a shadow of mourning over the entire area. The family of the deceased is mourning, and there is deep grief among the locals as well.