Online Report : Two brothers drowned as their boat capsized in Halti beel at Naldanga upazila in Natore district on Friday evening.

The incident took place at around 7.00pm in Kholabaria area of the upazila.

The deceased were identified as Abdur Rahman, 9, and Abdullah, 11, sons of Arif Islam, residents of Arbab village under Lalpur upazila in the district.

According to locals, a group 16 people, including the duo and their family members, went to visit the beel known as mini Cox`s Bazar of the area boarding on a shallow engine-run boat. On the way, the boat hit an electric pole and capsized in the middle of the water-body.

Although, 14 people managed to swim ashore but the two brothers went missing at that time.

Later, being informed, a diving team from Naldanga Fire Service and Civil Defence Department recovered them after one hour of attempt at around 8.00pm and took them to Natore Adhunik Hospital where the on-duty doctor declared the two brothers dead.

Naldanga Police Station officer-in-charge Abul Kalam confirmed the matter adding that the bodies of the brothers handed over to the family members without autopsy upon their request.