Two children have tragically died after drowning in an abandoned pond adjacent to a residential area in Baraigram upazila of Natore district, Bangladesh.
The incident occurred on Tuesday (19 May) at noon in Purnakols village under Gopalpur Union. The deceased were identified as Nur Mohammad, aged 10, son of Raju Ahmed, and Arafat, aged 11, son of Mintu, both residents of the same village.
According to family members and local residents, the children had been missing since midday. When they could not be found around their homes or nearby areas, relatives began searching the neighbourhood. After an extensive search, the families and locals discovered their bodies floating in a water-filled abandoned pond located close to their houses. The bodies were subsequently recovered with the assistance of local residents.
Local administrative representatives stated that the pond in question had been left unused and had no protective fencing or safety barriers, making it easily accessible to children in the area. It is believed that the children may have entered the water either while playing or attempting to bathe, after which they drowned in the deeper section of the pond.
A panel chairman of No. 6 Gopalpur Union Parishad, Abdus Samad Mondal, confirmed the incident, stating that the two children died after falling into the pond. He added that preliminary indications suggest they may have entered the water during play or bathing and subsequently lost control in the deeper part of the pond. He also confirmed that the matter had been reported to Baraigram Police Station and the Upazila administration.
Authorities are expected to carry out further inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident, while the bodies have already been recovered and handed over to the families for burial.
Details of the Deceased
| Name | Age | Father’s Name | Village | Area/Union | Incident Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nur Mohammad | 10 | Raju Ahmed | Purnakols | Gopalpur Union | Abandoned pond near residence |
| Arafat | 11 | Mintu | Purnakols | Gopalpur Union | Abandoned pond near residence |
This tragic incident has once again highlighted the persistent risk posed by unsecured water bodies in rural communities, particularly during the warmer months when children are more likely to play outdoors near ponds, canals, and ditches. Local residents have emphasised the importance of ensuring proper safety measures, such as fencing or warning signs, around unused ponds to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Community members in Purnakols village have expressed concern over the lack of preventive infrastructure, noting that many abandoned ponds in the area remain unprotected and pose ongoing hazards to children.