Rising Toll of Unidentified Deaths in Bangladesh: Rivers, Railways, and a Failing System

By Tuhin Sarwar । Dhaka, 07 November 2025 ।

From the bustling streets of Dhaka to the quiet riverbanks of rural districts, Bangladesh is witnessing an unsettling phenomenon: an increasing number of unidentified and unclaimed bodies appearing in rivers, canals, railway stations, footpaths, and urban dumps. Preliminary data suggests that the rising tide of unclaimed deaths is not merely a humanitarian concern—it reflects systemic vulnerabilities in law enforcement, public safety, and infrastructural oversight.

Between January and October 2025, the Human Rights Culture Foundation (MSF)

recorded 558 unidentified bodies nationwide. During the same period, Anjuman Mufidul Islam (AMI)

conducted 534 burials. October alone accounted for 66 recoveries, up from 52 in September, signaling a potential upward trend. Rivers, waterways, and railway tracks constitute a substantial portion of these deaths

Information Layer: Patterns and Numbers

Rivers and Canals: Rising Recoveries

According to Bangladesh Navy / River Police HQ data (Jan–Jul 2025), 301 bodies were retrieved from rivers and canals, of which 209 were identified, leaving 92 unclaimed. In 2024, 440 recoveries occurred with 141 unidentified. Deputy Inspector General of Police Kusum Dewan highlights the challenge: Bodies in water often decompose rapidly, making fingerprint verification difficult. Many deaths may conceal crimes rather than accidents. Investigative tracking reveals that at least 41 recovered river bodies in 2025 are linked to ongoing murder investigations, indicating structural or premeditated violence masked as accidents

Railway Fatalities: Structural Risks

The Bangladesh Railway Police notes over the past decade, 9,237 deaths due to accidents, negligence, or unsafe track use. From 2021–2024, 3,918 fatalities occurred nationwide; 1,763 in greater Dhaka.

Unclaimed victims remain in morgues for three days before burial by AMI. Unsafe infrastructure, unauthorized crossings, and inadequate safety measures emerge as principal contributors

Table 1: Major Unidentified Death Sources (Jan–Oct 2025)

| Source | Total Recovered | Identified | Unidentified | Notes |

| ------------------------- | --------------- | ---------- | ------------ | --------------------------- |

| Rivers & Canals (Jan–Jul) | 301 | 209 | 92 | 41 linked to homicide cases |

| Unclaimed Burials (AMI) | 534 | N/A | 534 | Jan–Oct 2025 |

| Total Recoveries (MSF) | 558 | N/A | 558 | Nationwide, Jan–Oct 2025 |

| Railway Deaths (2021–24) | 3,918 | Partial | Partial | Nationwide, 4-year span |

Human Layer: Personal Stories

Statistics provide scale, but human stories reveal the depth of tragedy. Rasel Khan, a tailor from Bauphal, Patuakhali, went missing on 11 October 2025 during a river conservation enforcement operation. While boarding a boat on Tetulia River, he jumped into the water to evade pursuit; his body was recovered three days later.

Professor Touhidul Haque, University of Dhaka’s Institute of Social Welfare, observes: The rise in unclaimed bodies casts doubt on enforcement agencies’ capacity and indicates a deteriorating human rights environment. Recovery alone is insufficient; authorities must ensure identification, cause-of-death determination, and family notification

Law enforcement operations, while aiming to uphold regulations, sometimes endanger ordinary citizens, highlighting a critical gap in SOPs and policy implementation

Policy Layer: Structural and Institutional Challenges

Waterway Mismanagement

Between 1996 and 2015, 6,408 deaths occurred in 653 boat accidents. From 2005–2019, 535 major accidents claimed over 6,000 lives, largely due to design flaws, overcrowding, and lack of life-saving equipment (Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority)

Railway Infrastructure Deficits

Of 2,574 railway crossings, 43% are illegal. Among 1,468 legal crossings, only 564 are equipped with safety measures. Insufficient fencing, signaling, and night-time visibility contribute to fatalities

Culture of Impunity

Nearly 900 investigative committees have been formed since independence; only 150 cases led to actionable outcomes. Political influence often shields owners and operators, perpetuating systemic negligence.

Administrative and Budgetary Gaps

Police budgets for recovery and post-mortem processes exist, yet bureaucratic delays and resource constraints reduce investment in identification and transportation, elevating the number of unclaimed bodies

Human Rights Implications: According to MSF, unclaimed bodies reflect insecurity and declining law enforcement effectiveness. Failing to return bodies violates basic human dignity and state accountability (Human Rights Watch)

Investigative Checklist for Field Reporting

1. Documentation: GPS coordinates, timestamps, body condition, witness statements, photographs.
2. Identity Verification: Fingerprints, DNA collection, cross-check with missing persons databases.
3. Operational Oversight: Record law enforcement involvement, adherence to SOPs.
4. Policy & Rights Evaluation: Assess whether interventions respected life and dignity.
5. Follow-Up: Track investigations, prosecutions, and reforms; ensure data transparency; coordinate with NGOs for family support.

Recommendations

• Forensic Capacity: Establish mobile fingerprint and DNA collection; district-level DNA repositories.
• Maritime Safety: Enforce vessel certification, mandatory life jackets, and compliance checks.
• Rail Safety: Secure illegal crossings; implement automated signals.
• SOP Compliance: Prioritize life over enforcement; disciplinary measures for violations.
• Transparency: Publish investigation reports and dashboards for public scrutiny.
• Community Awareness: Educate citizens on safety, recovery protocols, and rights

Conclusion

Bangladesh’s rising tally of unclaimed and unidentified deaths, along rivers, waterways, and railways, highlights deep infrastructural and institutional vulnerabilities. International experience shows that accountable governance, operational protocols, and human rights-centered policies significantly reduce preventable fatalities.

Without systemic reform, rivers and railway lines will remain silent witnesses to avoidable deaths. Each unclaimed body represents a lost human life, a family left in uncertainty, and society facing its institutional limitations. Analysts and human rights observers emphasize immediate action to prevent further loss of life and restore public trust

References & Sources

• Human Rights Culture Foundation (MSF) — Monthly Reports, Jan–Oct 2025
• Anjuman Mufidul Islam (AMI) — Burial Records, Jan–Oct 2025
• Bangladesh Navy / River Police HQ — Waterway Recovery Data, Jan–Jul 2025
• Bangladesh Railway Police — Accident Statistics, 2015–2024
• Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority — Accident & Safety Reports

• Human Rights Watch — Bangladesh Country Reports

Tuhin Sarwar — Bangladeshi investigative journalist & author. Founder of The Today & Article Insight. Reports on human rights, UNHCR issues & South Asian affairs. 🌐 tuhinsarwar.com