Unidentified Body Recovered from Buriganga River

An unidentified young man’s body has been recovered from the Buriganga River in Dhaka, prompting an investigation by river police. The floating body was retrieved on Thursday morning, 7 May, from the Tewapotti Ghat area of the river following reports from local residents.

According to Sub-Inspector Manik Mridha of the river police, officers were alerted by members of the public who noticed a body drifting in the water. A team was immediately dispatched to the scene around 11:00 am. Upon arrival, they confirmed the presence of a male body floating near the riverbank. With assistance from local divers, commonly referred to as “dock workers” or boatmen, the body was carefully recovered from the water.

Despite efforts by law enforcement and local residents to identify the deceased at the scene, no one was able to recognise him. The man is estimated to be around 30 years old. He was found wearing a T-shirt and trousers at the time of recovery.

Preliminary observations suggest that the body may have been in the water for approximately four to five days, as significant decomposition had already begun. However, officials emphasised that the exact cause and time of death will only be confirmed following a post-mortem examination.

No visible external injuries were found on the body during the initial examination, though authorities have not ruled out foul play at this stage. A formal inquest report (surat-haal) was prepared at the site before the body was sent to Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Police have also registered a case as the complainant in connection with the incident at the relevant police station. Investigators are now working to establish the identity of the deceased and determine the circumstances surrounding the death.

The Buriganga River, which flows past the capital, is frequently the site of similar recoveries, often leading to complex investigations due to the difficulty in identifying victims and determining how they ended up in the water.

Incident Summary