United News of Bangladesh

Five people including two children were killed when a makeshift bridge collapsed on the Brahmaputra River in Dewanganj upazila of Jamalpur district on Saturday night. The deceased were identified as Mayamoni, 10,  Hafez Mihad, 16, children of Joynal Abedin, Abdul Motaleb, 8 and Khadiza, 14, children of Sher Ali and Abir Hossain, 15, son of Habibullah. The accident occurred on Saturday afternoon when a temporary bridge set up over the Brahmaputra River near Dewanganj police station area collapsed on the river due to excessive crowd, leaving six children missing. Many fell into the river as panic spread. On information, divers from local fire service, police and local volunteers, rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. Divers managed to pull out six children from the river around 9:30 pm and took them  to Dewanganj Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared five of them dead.  A large number of people, including women and children, gathered there to enjoy Eid outings and the natural scenery. State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat, expressed condolences to the bereaved families and announced Tk 50,000 financial assistance for each victim’s family.