A wedding party of 50, stranded in the middle of the Jamuna River during a freezing winter night, was rescued by a Bangladesh Army patrol in Sariakandi early Thursday.
The group, including the bride and groom, was traveling from Sonatala Upazila in Bogura to Islampur in Jamalpur on Wednesday night. Their boat became lost in dense fog and ultimately ran aground on a submerged sandbar (char) due to low river navigability.
After hours of struggling to find their way, the group managed to reach a desolate bank of the river near the Kalitala Groen Dam. With no other options, they sought shelter in a dilapidated shack to escape the severe cold.
A night patrol from the Sariakandi Army Camp discovered the shivering group at approximately midnight. Recognizing the emergency, soldiers transported the wedding guests to the camp to provide immediate humanitarian aid.
"We were lost, freezing, and had no place to go," said Anwara Begum, 60, the groom’s grandmother. "The army took us in and treated us with such care, providing blankets, sweaters, and hot food. We will never forget their kindness."
The Army’s emergency shelter in a nearby government primary school. Distribution of blankets and warm clothing. Hot meals for all 50 passengers. Coordination for safe travel on Thursday morning.
Captain Sabbir Ahmed, Commander of the Sariakandi Camp, confirmed that the guests were in a "cold and vulnerable state" when found. After ensuring they were well-fed and rested, the army arranged for their safe return home.
In light of the incident, local authorities have reinforced safety protocols. AFM Asaduzzaman, Officer-in-Charge of Sariakandi Police Station, issued a strict reminder that boat movement on the Jamuna River is currently prohibited at night due to the hazardous combination of dense fog and hidden sandbars.
On the night of January 7, 2026, a boat carrying 50 passengers ran aground on a submerged char in the Jamuna River. The group was rescued by the Bangladesh Army’s Sariakandi Camp patrol at midnight and provided with food and winter clothing.
