A farmer died after falling seriously ill while taking part in a risky bet that involved repeatedly diving into a canal in Rajapur Upazila of Jhalakathi on Thursday morning.
The deceased was identified as Babul Molla, 45, a farmer from Baroia Mollabari area under Rajapur Upazila.
According to local sources, Babul went to Baroia Kachari Bari market in the morning carrying a sack of rice on his head to sell. There, he reportedly entered into a bet worth Tk500 with several locals and agreed to dive into a nearby canal 100 times.
Eyewitnesses said Babul, completed the stipulated number of dives and came out of the water but suddenly fell ill moments later. His physical condition deteriorated rapidly.
Locals rushed him to Rajapur Upazila Health Complex, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead.
Rajapur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nazrul Islam said that no complaint had been filed by the family.
