Search Resumes on Padma for Missing Father and Son

Search and rescue operations resumed on Wednesday morning along the Padma River near Rajshahi as emergency services continued their efforts to locate a father and son who vanished after a boat capsize. Despite more than 20 hours having elapsed since the tragic incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon, salvage teams have yet to trace the missing individuals.

The victims have been identified as Afsar Ali, aged 60, and his 40-year-old son, Jiarul Islam, both residents of the Shantingar area within Shampur, situated in Paba Upazila. According to local reports, the duo—alongside Jiarul’s mother, Jahera Begum (55)—were returning from a river island (char) in Charkhanpur on Tuesday afternoon. They were transporting a cargo of tamarix wood (jhaow) aboard a wooden vessel bound for the mainland when the boat succumbed to turbulent conditions and capsized near the Barkuthi area of Rajshahi.

While Jahera Begum managed to swim to safety, her husband and son disappeared beneath the strong river currents. The survivor expressed profound grief over the uncertain fate of her family members, fearing she might never see them again.

The rescue mission, spearheaded by a specialized diving team from the Rajshahi Fire Service and Civil Defence, entered its second day on Wednesday. However, the operations faced minor initial delays due to the unavailability of suitable logistical transport required to deploy specialized diving equipment onto the river.

Local authorities highlighted that the Padma River is currently experiencing strong underwater currents, which significantly complicates search and rescue operations. Because swift currents can carry individuals considerable distances downstream from the point of immersion, rescue personnel have expanded their operational area well beyond the original site of the incident at Barkuthi.

Farhad Hossain, Deputy Director of the Rajshahi Headquarters Fire Service, confirmed that rescue teams are conducting meticulous shoreline sweeps alongside river patrols. In addition to active diving efforts, emergency services have alerted all adjacent police stations and local coastal communities downriver to report any sightings immediately. Rescue teams remain on high alert as search efforts continue along the riverfront.