Abdullah Hil Rakib, a prominent business leader and former vice-president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), has tragically died in a boating accident in Canada. Rakib, who also served as the managing director of the diversified conglomerate Team Group, was among three men involved in the incident.
According to BGMEA Administrator Md Anwar Hossain, relatives of Rakib confirmed his death over the phone. “I spoke with some of Rakib’s relatives and they confirmed to me that he died in an accident in Canada,” he said.
Team Group, a major employer with around 20,000 employees across 12 units, operates in sectors including apparel manufacturing, retail, pharmaceuticals, IT and real estate, according to its official website.
The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon in the Kawartha Lakes region, specifically on Sturgeon Lake, about 155 kilometers northeast of Toronto. Local reports from CTV News indicated that a canoe carrying three men capsized in the area. Emergency responders were dispatched shortly after 3 pm following reports of the accident.
The Kawartha Lakes Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) confirmed that one of the men managed to swim to shore, but the other two were unable to stay afloat and subsequently drowned. Authorities noted that no life jackets were found in the boat.
Rescue and recovery efforts involved OPP’s Marine Unit, the Kawartha Lakes Fire and EMS services, as well as the OPP’s Aviation team.
In response to the tragedy, Mahmud Hasan Khan (Babu), president-elect of BGMEA, expressed his deep condolences over Rakib’s passing, highlighting his contributions and leadership.
This devastating event has shocked the business community and colleagues who remember Rakib as a dedicated and influential figure in Bangladesh’s garment and diverse industrial sectors.
