Five young men went missing as a boat sank in the Shitalakkhuya river as it was hit by a cargo vessel in Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj last night.

One of the missing youths was identified as Jasim Mohammad Raju, son of late Sirajul Islam, a resident of Bashabo area in Dhaka.

A group of 14 youths hired the boat from Demra for a pleasure trip. The boat sank in the midriver in Rupashi Kazipara area after a sand-laden Bulkhead hit the boat from behind around 9:00pm, leaving the five youths disappeared in the river, said Hamidullah, ward councilor of Tarab Municipality quoting witnesses.

However, nine others managed to swim ashore.

A team of three divers from Demra Fire Service and Civil Defence is conducting a search to rescue the missing people.