Truck falls off ferry in Patuakhali, 33 hurt

At least 33 people were injured as a brick-laden truck fell off a ferry into a river in Kolapara upazila of Patuakhali this evening.

Twelve of the injured were admitted to the Kolapara Upazila Health Complex for treatment, police told our Patuakhali correspondent.

Condition of five of them was stated to be critical, said Azizur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Kalapara Police Station.

According to an injured, a six-year-old girl named Samiya remained missing till 8:00pm when the report was filed.

Witnesses said the Kuakata-bound truck lost its control and fell in the water while trying to get on the ferry in the Andharmanik river around 7:00pm.

A small boat which ferries people from one side to the other of the river capsized on the impact of the accident, said Md Humayun Kabir Panna, a sub-assistant engineer of Roads and Highways Department (RHD).

Some 50 people drowned into the river following the accident, he said adding that most of them managed to swim ashore.

The others were rescued by the locals and firefighters.