Bangladesh News

At least 31 people–most of them women and children–died after a launch with around 140 passengers was hit by a sand-laden cargo vessel and sank in the Buriganga in South Keraniganj yesterday.

Over 50 passengers remained missing as of 10:00pm while 50-60 others either managed to swim ashore or were rescued by local boatmen after the mishap at Hasnabad Mokampara in South Keraniganj, police and witnesses said.

The double-decker MV Shourav-1 bound for Taltola in Munshiganj from the Sadarghat Launch Terminal drowned 45 feet in the river within minutes after the sand-laden cargo vessel Al Amin hit it from behind at 3:35pm.

“The cargo got on the launch deck causing it to tilt heavily towards its side and soon it drowned,” said Mohammad Hasan, a passenger of the launch who swam ashore.

Of the 31 dead, identities of 20 victims could be ascertained as of 10:00pm last night.

They are Abdul Hakim, 40, Jarina Begum, 60, her granddaughters Kuheli, 3, and two-month-old Jonaki, their mother Minaki, 25, Arafat, 5, Anwara Begum, 50, Nayan Miah, 26, Ranjit Das, 50, Joynab Bibi, 35, Lipi, 32, Mohammad Helamini, 14, Beauty, 16, Sajeda, 50, Rokeya Begum, 50, Joynab, 26, Nazma, 22, Sri Krishna, 32, Aklima, 20, and hawker Mohammad Alam.

Aklima’s brother Abdus Salam said she was a first year student of Eden Women University College and was on her way home in Munshiganj to visit her ill mother.

Hearing the news of the accident, relatives of the victims started gathering on the bank of the Buriganga. Thousands of people from the locality and nearby areas also thronged the riverbank near Buriganga Bridge at Postagola.

A seven-member team of divers from the Fire Service and Civil Defence was searching for the missing passengers last night with assistance from Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), police and other law enforcement agencies.

“But the divers could not search the cabins as their doors could not be opened because a part of the launch has dug into the mud on the riverbed,” said Maj Sheikh Mohammad Shah Jalal, a director of Fire Service and Civil Defence.

The government formed a five-member probe committee headed by Joint Secretary of shipping ministry MA Matin. The other members of the committee are the secretary of BIWTA, chief engineer of Department of Shipping, additional district magistrate for Dhaka and additional superintendent of police for Dhaka.

Meanwhile, BIWTA salvage ship MV Rustom reached the spot from Narayanganj at about 9:20pm and started salvage operation.

BIWTA Chairman Abdul Mannan Hawlader visited the spot. He said they would provide Tk 20,000 for each victim. Besides, Tk 2,000 will be given to each family of the victims to carry the bodies home.

However, many of the family members of the victims alleged that they were not given any money to take the bodies home.

Home and Communications Adviser Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin also visited the spot and asked the rescuers to intensify their effort.

He said the government would decide about giving compensation to the families of the victims later.

President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in separate condolence messages expressed deep shock at the loss of lives and properties in the incident.

They also conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family members of the victims.

The CA directed the authorities concerned to ensure proper treatment of the injured and conduct speedy salvage operation.

In his condolence message, acting BNP Secretary General Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram also demanded punishment of the persons responsible for the accident.

Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain demanded compensation for the family members of the victims.