5 die on overcrowded ferry due to heat, lack of oxygen: Fire service
At least five people died due to extreme heat and lack of air on the overcrowded ferry today on way to Banglabazar ghat in Madaripur today, said fire service.
Three of the deceased are- Ansur Matubbor, 15, hailing from Shariatpur; Nipa Begum, 45, from Madaripur, and Nuruddin Akon, 45, from Barisal.
"Heat stroke caused the deaths of five people on the ferry. Identity of two could not be known," Miraj Hossain, officer-in-charge of Shibchar police station, told Prothom Alo.
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The suspension of long-distance public transport and the deployment of BGB personnel at ferry terminals could not stop the mad rush of homebound people as thousands today continue to leave Dhaka and its adjacent areas to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with their families in villages amid the pandemic.
Ignoring all obstacles, home-goers are moving towards the Paturia-Daulatdia, Shimulia-Banglabazar routes to cross the River Padma, which, according to the terminal authorities, is a "record-breaking number of people" in the wharf area.
