Two children have died after going missing while taking a bath in Naf River at Shahparir Dwip in Sabrang Union of Teknaf Upazila, Cox’s Bazar.
The tragic incident took place on Friday at around 10:30am in Shahparir Dwip Jetighat area. After a search lasting nearly four hours, local fishermen and residents recovered the children.
One was retrieved dead from the spot, whilst the other was rushed in a critical condition to Teknaf Upazila Health Complex, where the emergency department duty doctor declared him dead.
The deceased children have been identified as Mohammad Nishan, 12, and Arjin, 10, both residents of the Shahparir Dwip Uttar Para area.
According to local sources, Mohammad Nishan and Arjin went into Naf River adjacent to Shahparir Dwip Jetighat on Friday morning to bathe, during which they disappeared underwater.
As news of the incident spread instantly, local residents and fishermen rushed to the scene.
Local fishermen launched a search operation using boats across various parts of the river, and coast guard members joined the rescue efforts upon receiving information, conducting an extensive search alongside the local fishermen.
At around 2pm, nearly four hours after they went missing, the two children were recovered from the section of Naf River in front of Shahparir Dwip Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) border outpost.
Arjin was found dead at the scene. Local residents rescued Mohammad Nishan in a critical condition and quickly transported him to Teknaf Upazila Health Complex, where he passed away.
Sanjeev, In-charge of Shahparir Dwip Police Outpost, confirmed the disappearance and deaths of the two children.
He said after being informed by local residents, he learnt that two children had gone missing whilst bathing in Naf River at Jetighat area, and were later recovered with local assistance.
He confirmed that Arjin died on the spot, whilst Nishan was taken to hospital in a critical condition where the doctor declared him dead.
Dr Nusrat Jahan, duty doctor in the emergency department of Teknaf Upazila Health Complex, said Mohammad Nishan was brought to the hospital in a critical condition, but had died prior to arrival.
She explained that his death was caused by swallowing an excessive amount of water.
Following the tragic simultaneous deaths of the two children, a pall of gloom has descended upon Shahparir Dwip Uttar Para area, where the atmosphere has turned heavy with the wailing of grieving relatives.
