A 26-year-old man died after reportedly falling into the Sapmara canal while watching the Argentina-England FIFA World Cup semi-final match on his mobile phone in Mohanganj upazila of Netrokona.

Police recovered the partially decomposed body of Ahad Noor from the canal this morning.

Mohanganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Hafizul Islam Harun said Ahad had been watching the Argentina-England football match on his mobile phone while sitting on a makeshift wooden platform beside the Sapmara canal late Wednesday night.

Ahad, son of Kancha Mia of Maghan village in Mohanganj upazila, had been living in Syedpur village under Dharmapasha upazila in Sunamganj. He had recently come to visit his uncle, Kala Mia, at his home in Mohanganj.

Police believe he may have become drowsy and either slipped while trying to splash water on his face or accidentally lost his footing on the steep bank before falling into the canal. According to family members, Ahad did not know how to swim.

OC Hafizul said Ahad's mobile phone and charger were found on the platform where he had been watching the match. As the game ended late at night, family members did not immediately realise he was missing. When he could not be found the following morning, relatives and locals searched in different places but failed to locate him.

This morning, locals spotted a body floating in the canal and informed police. Officers recovered the body, which was found in a partially decomposed state about one km downstream from the spot where Ahad had reportedly gone missing.

OC Hafizul said the incident is primarily believed to have been an accidental death. As the family has raised no allegation, the body will be handed over to the relatives without an autopsy after the completion of the necessary legal formalities.