Two tourists drown in Kaptai Lake; 59 rescued

Two women drowned after a tourist boat capsized in Rangamati’s Kaptai Lake on Monday.

The deceased were identified as Hena Rani, 65, and Pushpa Rani, 35, of Joypurhat’s Panchbibi upazila.

The boat with 61 people on board capsized in the evening while returning after visiting Kaptai Lake, said Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, deputy commissioner of Rangamati.

A joint team of police and fire service rescued them and took them to a local hospital, where doctors declared the duo dead on arrival, he added.

Jalal Ahmed, team leader of the tourists, said, “We came to Rangamati on Monday morning and booked two hotels in Reserve Bazaar. Around 10am, we hired an engine-driven boat and went to see the Hanging Bridge. While returning from there, our boat got hit by something in the lake and sank.”