Woman killed, 18 rescued in Cox's Bazar speedboat crash
An unidentified woman, believed to be around 50 years old, died, and 18 others were rescued following a collision between two passenger speedboats on the Cox's Bazar-Maheshkhali water route today (26 January).
The accident occurred around 12:45pm near the estuary of the Bakkhali River, where two speedboats travelling in the same direction were involved in a collision, officials said.
According to Didarul Islam, president of the Cox's Bazar – Maheshkhali Speedboat Operators' Association, both vessels had departed simultaneously from Gerakghata Ghat in Maheshkhali Upazila for Cox's Bazar. As the boats approached the Bakkhali River estuary, the engine of one speedboat reportedly stalled, causing it to come to an abrupt halt. The second vessel, which was travelling at high speed from behind, crashed into the stationary boat.
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Following the impact, both speedboats overturned, throwing passengers into the river. Nearby vessels rushed to the scene and managed to rescue 18 passengers alive. One woman was recovered in critical condition and rushed to Cox's Bazar District Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.
Abdul Wakil, river port officer at the Cox's Bazar office of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), said a team of officials visited the site shortly after the incident and confirmed the fatality. Police said the victim's identity has not yet been confirmed, and an investigation into the accident is underway.
