UNB, Dhaka :
At least four bodies, including of a 10-year-old child, were recovered after launch carrying around 50-60 passengers went down in the Shitalakkhya River after being hit by a cargo vessel near Al Aminnagar in Narayanganj Sunday afternoon.
One of the deceased was identified as Joynal, aged about 50, while the bodies of an 18-year-old girl and a 27-year-old woman remained unidentified, said Narayanganj Fire Service Deputy Assistant Director Abdullah Al Arefin.
The fire service official said they recovered three bodies and the locals recovered Joynal’s body.
Around 25-30 passengers were still missing, he said.
Besides, 15-20 passengers managed to swim ashore, he added.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Shipping formed a three-member probe committee headed by Dr. ANM Bazlur Rashid, joint secretary of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), to investigate the accident.
The committee is also asked to submit the report in three working days, said a release issued from the ministry.
The Munshiganj-bound launch ML Asraf Uddin capsized in the river as cargo vessel MV Rupshi-9 hit it around 2:30 pm, according to Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters.
Efforts are underway to rescue the missing passengers.C
