The UK and Japan have condoled the Padma launch tragedy in Bangladesh. Japanese ambassador in Dhaka Shiro Sadoshima in a message said he had heard the sad news “with profound sorrow”.
“On behalf of the Government of Japan and the people of Japan, I would like to express my deepest condolence to the victims and the bereaved families,” he said.
He hoped that the ongoing rescue efforts would save as many missing people as possible.
Acting British High Commissioner in Dhaka Nick Low in a separate message has expressed his condolences.
“I was shocked and saddened by yesterday’s tragic incident on the Padma, in which so many people have lost their lives,” he said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones at this time of sorrow,” read the statement.
Pinak-6 tilted and drowned minutes after it was caught in strong currents at Louhajang turning point on Monday. The harrowing incident was captured by passengers of nearby vessels.
About 100 lives were saved by speedboats that rushed to the sinking vessel, said Munshiganj Deputy Commissioner Md Saiful Islam Badal.
Another 118, he said, were missing according to a list the authorities prepared with the help of people who reported about their missing relatives. Survivors say Pinak-6 was carrying almost 350 passengers from Mawa to Kewrakandi against its capacity of 150.
