A deeply distressing incident in the Andharmanik Union of Kazirhat Police Station under Mehendiganj upazila in Barishal has claimed the lives of two young siblings who drowned in a pond on Thursday afternoon. The tragedy has cast a pall of grief over the entire locality, with the bereaved mother repeatedly fainting in anguish.
The deceased children have been identified as five-year-old Sahad Hossain and his three-year-old sister Safia Akter. They were the children of Saudi Arabia–based expatriate Saidul Hawlader, originally from the Barjalia area of Hizla upazila. Family sources said the children had been living with their mother, Suman Begum, at their maternal grandfather Harun Bepari’s house due to their father’s overseas employment.
According to accounts from relatives, the incident occurred shortly after the mother had fed her children and sat down to have her own meal. In a brief moment of distraction, the two children left the courtyard to play outside. When they failed to return, family members began searching anxiously across the surroundings.
After a short search, the lifeless body of Safia Akter was discovered floating in a pond located behind the house. Shortly afterwards, Sahad Hossain was found submerged in the same pond. Both children were immediately retrieved and rushed to Muladi Upazila Health Complex, where attending physicians declared them dead upon arrival.
Local residents reported that the pond is situated very close to the homestead and lacked any form of fencing or protective barrier. They believe the absence of safety measures significantly increased the risk of such a preventable tragedy.
Police confirmed that no formal complaint has been filed by the family. Following completion of legal formalities, the bodies were handed over to the relatives.
Summary of the Incident
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Victims | Sahad Hossain (5), Safia Akter (3) |
| Father | Saidul Hawlader (expatriate worker in Saudi Arabia) |
| Location | Andharmanik Union, Kazirhat, Mehendiganj, Barishal |
| Incident | Drowning in a pond |
| Time | Thursday afternoon |
| Medical facility | Muladi Upazila Health Complex |
Timeline of Events
| Timeframe | Event |
|---|---|
| Early afternoon | Children were fed by their mother |
| Shortly after | Mother sat down to eat her meal |
| A few moments later | Children went outside to play |
| Soon after | Family noticed the children were missing |
| Shortly thereafter | One child’s body was found floating in the pond |
| Immediately after | Both children were taken to hospital |
| Upon arrival | Doctors declared both deceased |
Locals have expressed concern that such tragedies are unfortunately not uncommon in rural areas where households are often surrounded by open ponds and lack adequate child safety measures. Many believe that proper fencing, warning signs, or supervised play areas could have significantly reduced the risk of such heartbreaking incidents.
The entire village remains engulfed in mourning. Relatives and neighbours have gathered to console the grieving family, yet the mother’s uncontrollable cries of loss continue to echo through the community, deepening the atmosphere of sorrow.