Staff Reporter :
At least six bodies including three women were recovered, but about 25 people are still missing after a Munshiganj-bound launch capsized in the river Shitalakhya being hit by a cargo vessel on Sunday noon (March 20).
The victim launch was identified as ‘MV Ashamoni’ which capsized near the Koylaghat area in Narayanganj.
The identities of the deceased could not be known immediately. After receiving the news of launch capsize, thousands of people including relatives and locals thronged the bank of river.
Mina Mahmuda, Superintendent of River Police in Narayanganj confirmed the matter to the media.
“We have confirmed that the launch sank after being hit by a ship named Ruposhi-9 in Char Syedpur area. After the incident, police rushed to the spot.
Acting Deputy Director of BIWTA’s Maritime Security Department Babu Lal Vaidya said, many passengers of the launch are still missing, divers reached the spot to start the rescue operation.
Firefighting units are working to rescue the passengers, said Abdullah Al Arefin, Deputy Assistant Director of Narayanganj Fire Service.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has opened a control room in its headquarters in Dhaka for getting emergency contract regarding the launch capsize.
The numbers of control room are Hotline: 16113,-617: Telephone; +8802223352306; Mobile: +8801958658213.
The shipping ministry has formed a probe committee to investigate into the launch capsize in Shitalakkhya River in Narayanganj on Sunday evening.
The three-member committee led by Joint Secretary ANM Bazlul Rashid of the ministry was asked to submit a report within three working days, said Jahangir Alam Khan, Senior Information Officer of the shipping ministry.
Meanwhile, the cargo vessel that hit a launch leaving it capsized in Shitalakhya River of Narayanganj has been seized.
It was seized from Munshiganj along with its master on Sunday (March 20) evening.
Mohammad Zaidul Alam, Superintendent of Police (SP) in Narayanganj, confirmed the matter to the media.
In this issue, Commodore A Z M Jalal Uddin, Director General of the Department of Shipping (DoS) told The New Nation on Sunday night that two committees have been formed to find out the causes of accident. We will take necessary action as per recommendations of the enquiry committees.
None will be spared from punishment as per rules of the Inland Ordinance against those who were involved in the incident, he added.
