Search operation continues for missing woman after boat capsizes in Karnaphuli River
Search efforts entered their second day on Thursday in Rangunia, Chittagong, as authorities continued to hunt for a 20-year-old woman who went missing following a boat capsize in the Karnaphuli River. Kanika Das, a resident of the Kodala Union fishing village, remains unaccounted for nearly 20 hours after the vessel she was traveling in succumbed to adverse weather conditions.
The incident occurred Wednesday morning as Kanika and several family members were traveling to attend a memorial service for her mother. According to local witnesses, the boat was struck by sudden, intense gusts of wind near the Dewanji Hat and Kodala ferry terminals around 11:30 a.m., causing it to capsize instantly.
Local rescuers managed to pull five individuals, including the boatman, from the water shortly after the accident. The survivors were transported to the Chandraghona Christian Mission Hospital for treatment. Among the injured is a two-year-old child identified as Raj Ghosh, who remains under observation in the hospital’s intensive care unit.
While emergency responders and the Fire Service conducted extensive searches throughout Wednesday, the operation was hampered by strong river currents and deteriorating visibility as night fell. Fire service officials noted that the treacherous conditions made it impossible to continue the underwater search after dark.
On Thursday, relatives of the missing woman remained at the riverbank, struggling with the uncertainty of the situation. Kanika’s family reported that despite scouring the river throughout the day, no sign of her has been found. Local police have been monitoring the situation and have requested that nearby communities report any sightings of a body floating in the river, while Kanika’s husband and relatives continue to hold a desperate vigil at the scene.
