In a tragic turn of events that has left the small community of Sonabaluya in Raypura Upazila, Narsingdi, reeling with grief, the body of eight-year-old Sayem Mia was recovered on Saturday morning, nearly 24 hours after he went missing. Local sources report that the lifeless body of the young boy was discovered at around 10 a.m. in a pond adjacent to his family home, with the search conducted by both relatives and concerned neighbours.
Sayem, the son of Abdus Sattar, who has a speech disability, was a first-grade student at the local Alor Porosh Kindergarten. According to family members, Sayem returned home on Friday morning (19 December) after attending private tuition. Later, he left the house once more, leaving behind his school bag, notebooks, and stationery, but did not return. As evening turned into night, with no sign of the boy, his family and neighbours were consumed by anxiety and fear.
In an urgent response, local residents undertook a widespread search, including announcements via loudspeakers, and scoured the nearby areas. During the search, family members noticed a lone shoe on the bank of the pond, sparking heightened concern. On Saturday morning, aided by neighbours, the search extended into the water, culminating in the recovery of Sayem’s body around 10 a.m.
Speaking to reporters, Sayem’s uncle, Shamim Mia, said, “Once the shoe was found on the pond’s edge, his mother immediately grew suspicious. Our family, together with the locals, searched the pond and, tragically, we found Sayem in the water.”
Police have confirmed the incident and stated that the body has been sent to Narsingdi Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy. Investigators are currently questioning family members and nearby residents in an attempt to determine the exact circumstances of the boy’s death.
The incident has left the local community in shock, grief, and heightened anxiety. Many residents have expressed their condolences to the bereaved family and called upon local authorities to conduct a swift and thorough investigation. The tragedy has once again brought attention to the urgent need for robust child safety measures, with residents emphasising that protecting children is a responsibility that rests on every level of society.