Staff Reporter :
At least five passenger were reportedly injured when a launch slammed into another at Sadarghat Launch Terminal in the city on Thursday morning.
However, the identities of the injured men could not be ascertained immediately. They were taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Mitford Hospital and a local private clinic immediately, Police said.
Alamgir Kabir, Joint Director of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), said, “The passenger launch “Sabbir-2” hit a Barishal-bound “Green Line Water Ways” near the terminal just after it sailed for its destination with 318 passengers on board around 8:00am”
Sabbir-2, which was coming from Patuakhali, was anchoring at the terminal when it struck another launch, said the Joint Director.
The left side of the Green Line’s launch was badly damaged, said the BIWTA official.
Investigation is underway to find out the reason behind the accident, he said.
Following the collision, Greenline authorities suspended the service, he said.
Dhaka-bound MV Sabbir-2 and Barishal bound Greenline Water Ways collided with each other close to the Postogola Bridge, said Enamul Haque, Chief of Sadarghat Police Camp.
The injured passengers of Greenline has been treated in three hospitals.
BIWTA workers and river police rushed to the scene and rescued the vehicles.
