A launch carrying about 100 passengers including the 21 students of Dhaka University, who were stranded in the flood while visiting Tanguar Haor in Sunamganj, crashed after reaching the middle of Surma River.
As a result, they are now trapped in the middle of the river, according to media reports.
The stranded passengers called the National Emergency Service 999 and sought help from the local administration.
They said that they are terrified in the middle of the river because of the strong currents and rain.
Shoaib Ahmed, a student of DU's Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, told the media from the spot that the “Kopotakkho-Anirban” launch left Sunamganj in the morning.
“However, three engines of the launch broke down in the Duarbazar area of Surma river in Sunamganj,” he added.
Abul Mansur Ahmed, chairman of the department, said that he contacted Lt Col Abdullah Bin Zayed, director of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in this regard.
“Abdullah informed the army team in Sunamganj about this. The army is trying to rescue the students," Mansur observed.
Earlier on Friday, the 21 students of DU, who were trapped by floods in a restaurant while visiting Tanguar Haor, were rescued.
At the request of the DU Administration, Sylhet Sadar Deputy Commissioner Jahangir Hossain took charge and rescued them.
