Hardinge Bridge: Bulkhead collision leaves one missing in Padma River

A bulkhead carrying 123 passengers on a boat trip collided with a pillar of the Hardinge Bridge in the Padma River on Friday night. The accident occurred around 9:00 PM near the Bheramara area in Kushtia when the vessel lost control due to strong currents.

Three people were thrown into the river during the collision. Two passengers, identified as Liton and Ohab, were successfully rescued and are reported to be in good health. However, Rakibuzzaman Rocky, a 32-year-old member secretary of the Shailkupa Municipal Chhatra Dal in Jhenaidah, remains missing.

Search operations are being conducted by multiple units, including the Fire Service from Ishwardi and Bheramara, as well as naval police. Local officials, including Bheramara Upazila Nirbahi Officer Amirul Arafat, confirmed that various administrative units are working to locate the missing individual.