Ex-BGMEA SVP Abdullah Hil Rakib, Biman 787 pilot Saifuzzaman drown in boating accident in Canada

Abdullah Hil Rakib, former senior vice president (SVP) of BGMEA and managing director of Team Group, and Captain Md Saifuzzaman (Guddu), a Boeing 787 Dreamliner pilot for Biman Bangladesh Airlines, died in a boating accident in Canada on Sunday (8 June).

The two lost their lives after they fell into Sturgeon Lake in Ontario at around 3:06pm local time, according to a Biman Bangladesh Airlines release and BGMEA sources.

Mohuddin Rubel, additional managing director of Denim Expert and former BGMEA director, confirmed Rakib's death at 7am this morning (9 June).

According to Biman, Captain Saifuzzaman was on a family trip to Canada to visit his daughter, who is studying at a university there. He had travelled there with his wife and children.

The accident occurred when the two friends were canoeing together as part of their family outing. The canoe suddenly capsized just 10-15 feet from the shore, in front of their family members who were watching from the lakeside, read the Biman release.

Despite both men being able to swim, they became trapped when their bodies got stuck in the overturned canoe up to their waists, making it extremely difficult to escape immediately. This complication likely prevented them from surfacing from underwater and led to their tragic drowning, read the release.

Local reports from KawarthaNOW also said that the men were on Sturgeon Lake when their canoe capsized. While one person was able to swim to shore, Rakib and Saifuzzaman drowned. 

Local police reported that none of the men were wearing life vests.

In a message sent to BGMEA members, BGMEA Administrator Md Anwar Hossain said: "Respected Members, we are deeply saddened by the passing of Mr Abdullah Hil Rakib, Former Senior Vice President, BGMEA & Additional Managing Director, Team Group yesterday in a canoe capsized on Sturgeon Lake, Canada (Inna lillahi wa inna ilahi raziun). Please keep him in your prayers and seek the Almighty Allah for the salvation of his soul."

Speaking to The Business Standard, Anwar said he was in contact with Rakib's elder brother and officials from the Bangladesh consulate to complete the necessary arrangements.

Biman has expressed deep condolences over Captain Saifuzzaman's untimely death. The airline said its Toronto office is working closely with the Bangladesh High Commission in Canada to repatriate his body to Bangladesh according to his family's wishes.

BGMEA has also expressed deep sadness and shock over Rakib's death, with arrangements being made through consulate officials to have his mortal remains sent back to Bangladesh as well.

Rakib, who was a prominent figure in Bangladesh's textile industry, served BGMEA as director for two terms (2013-15 and 2015-2017), playing an important role in new market development in Japan, Brazil, Mexico, and Chile. 

He believed human resources and skill development were key to the progress of Bangladesh's apparel industry. 

As a member of the BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology (BUFT) Board of Trustees, he promoted Industry-Academia Partnerships and supported the countrywide Textile Talent Hunt initiative to develop entry—and mid-level management staff.

According to Rakib's LinkedIn profile, Team Group started its garments and textile business in 2009 with three manufacturing units. Over the past decade, the Team Group has become a leading RMG conglomerate comprising six apparel and backwards linkage factories: Brothers Fashion Limited, 4A Yarn Dyeing Limited, Gramtech Limited, South End Sweaters, Mars Stitch Limited, and CBM Limited.

The group established itself as a trendsetter in sustainable and responsible business practices, leading the green revolution with one LEED Gold-certified factory and two others registered with USGBC for achieving LEED Platinum certification.

The company successfully diversified into pharmaceuticals, real estate, information technology and retail, employing 15,800 people.