At least five persons including three women and two children are reportedly still missing when a motor driven picnic trawler sank in a tributary of the Padma River near Rashkathi village under Lauhajang upazila here last night.

“Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) is trying to rescue the missing persons. The accident took place as a  75 feet long engine boat carrying nearly 46 passengers collided with a bulkhead ”, said Obaidul Karim Khan, deputy director of  BIWTA. 

A total of eight dead bodies so far have been recovered as the members of the Coast Guard and Fire Services are being carried out rescue operation immediately after the accident.

The boat started its journey from  Kheterpur of Shirajdikhan upazila, fell into the accident at around 8.30pm on Saturday night as it was returning  after visiting the Padma Bridge area.

Meanwhile, a five member probe committee has been formed by the district administration to unearth the reason behind the accident.