Our Correspondent :
The bodies of five women were recovered after a Munshiganj-bound launch, carrying over 50 passengers, capsized in the Shitalakhya river in Narayanganj on Sunday evening.
The bodies were recovered after the launch capsize, said Nahida Barek, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Narayanganj Sadar Upazila.
However, she could not confirm the identities of the deceased.
She said seven divers are working on the rescue operation.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority Chairman Golam Sadeq earlier told the media that they were not able to conduct rescue operations due to inclement weather, although rescue ship Prattay and divers were ready.
Babu Lal Baidya, assistant director of BIWTA in Narayanganj launch terminal, said the launch named Sabit Al Hasan left Narayanganj launch terminal for Munshiganj with nearly 50 passengers around 5:56pm on Sunday.
The launch sank near the third Shitalakhya Bridge
at Koylaghat of Syedpur area when it was hit by a coaster tanker.
Chandra Saha, Officer-in-Charge of Bandar Police Station, said some 20 people were rescued from the east bank of the river till 10:00pm on Sunday. Of them, eight were given first aid and three others are receiving treatment at hospital.
On information, fire service teams rushed to the spot and started the rescue operation with two trawlers, said Abdullah Arefin, Deputy Assistant Director of Fire Service and Civil Defense in Narayanganj.
The fire service official also said rescue operations are being hampered due to inclement weather.
Family and relatives, who are now on the spot, claimed that 10 passengers of the launch remain missing since the incident.
Witnesses said locals rescued 30 passengers of the 50 from the spot.
However, the authorities are yet to comment over missing people.
Meanwhile, members of Bangladesh Coast Guard also started their rescue operation in the river, according to a message issued by the coast guard sent to media on Sunday night.
