Staff Reporter :
A Munshiganj bound launch, carrying over 50 passengers, capsized in the Shitalakkhya river in Narayanganj on Sunday evening.
Abdullah Arefin, deputy assistant director of Fire Service and Civil Defense in Narayanganj confirmed the matter to media.
On information, fire service teams rushed to the spot and started the rescue operation with two trawlers, he said.
However, rescue operations are being hampered due to bad weather, added the fire service official.
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 or rescued people.
Dipu, one passenger who managed to come ashore with the help of a trawler, said the Munshiganj-bound launch left the Narayanganj launch terminal around 6:00pm but it capsized around 6:20pm after it was hit by a sand-laden bulkhead.
The bulkhead pushed the passenger launch to Koylaghat area and the launch finally capsized there, he said.
Dipu said he managed to come ashore but his mother remains missing. 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 tonight.
