A floating bridge over the Brahmaputra River in Dewanganj Upazila, Jamalpur, collapsed on Saturday afternoon, sending more than a hundred people into the river. Four children, including siblings, drowned in the incident, leaving the local community in shock.

According to eyewitnesses, the bridge and surrounding areas were crowded as people came to enjoy the Eid holiday. The bridge, already in a vulnerable condition, suddenly gave way under the weight of the crowd. Many managed to swim to safety, but several children were swept away by the strong current.

The deceased children have been identified as Khadija (12) and Abdul Motaleb (6), daughter and son of Sher Ali from Jhalurchor area, Mayamoni (10), daughter of Zainal Miah from Dakatia Para, and Abir (16) from Gamaria area. Their bodies were recovered during a rescue operation.

Rescue teams from Dewanganj Model Police Station and the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence responded quickly to the scene. Officials reported that the bridge had long been structurally weak, and the sudden excessive load caused it to collapse.

Locals expressed frustration that despite the bridge’s known risks, no effective maintenance or safety measures had been taken. Many families are traumatized by the loss of their children.

Experts warn that many floating bridges in the country remain neglected, making such accidents likely to occur again. They emphasize the need for temporary bridge installations, regular inspections, and strict safety enforcement to prevent future tragedies.

This disaster highlights the critical importance of safe infrastructure, public awareness, and rapid emergency response in preventing avoidable deaths during public gatherings.