One dies, 15 suffer burn injuries from electrocution in Comilla

One died and at least 15 people sustained burn injuries as they came into contact with overhead power cables while at a DJ party on the roof of a trawler in the Titas River.

The incident took place near the east side of the Darikandi Bridge in Comilla’s Titas upazila at around 10pm on Monday, confirmed Titas police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sudhin Chandra Das to Dhaka Tribune.

According to locals and eyewitnesses, a group of young people – who were at the DJ party on the roof of the trawler – got burnt while crossing under a power cable in the Titas River.

Three of them fell into the river after getting electrocuted during the cruise DJ party.

Two of them were rescued but one, Shamim Hossain, 14, went missing, they added.

Later on Tuesday morning, his dead body was recovered from the river.

Police rushed to the spot after getting information about the incident.

Titas police station Sub-Inspector (SI) Suman Mia said: “A group of youths got burnt while partying on a trawler on Monday. Shamim Hossain went missing following the accident.

“His body was found floating in the river early Tuesday morning. We are suspecting that he had drowned after being electrocuted.”

“Some 20 to 25 youths were partying on a trawler in the Titas River on Monday night. One teen has died in the incident. At least 15 are undergoing treatment at different hospitals.

“We along with local administration had banned such activities at the upazila. We even conducted drives to stop such DJ parties,” said OC Das.

The 15 injured were first treated at the Daudkandi and Titas upazila health complexes.

Three of them were sent to the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) and Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka after their condition deteriorated.

The trawler which was used for the party has been seized by the police.