7 more bodies recovered, many still missing

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The death toll from launch disaster in the river Buriganga on Thursday afternoon rose to 39 with the recovery of seven more bodies yesterday while at least 10 passengers remained missing.

The sunken launch, Sourav-1, was salvaged early Friday and seven more bodies were found inside the launch.

The rescue vessel, Rustam, pulled the launch from a depth of 45 feet under water at about 5:30am and then the rescuers wound up their operation.

The double-decker MV Sourav bound for Taltola in Munshiganj from Sadarghat launch terminal with around 140 passengers on board sank in the river after a sand-laden cargo vessel hit it from behind at 3:35pm. Boatmen, divers from Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) and coastguards retrieved 32 bodies on Thursday.

The rescuers apprehend that the bodies of some other missing passengers might be washed away.

A number of people were seen on the riverbanks and looking for their missing relatives yesterday.

Nurul Islam of Matlab in Chandpur district was searching for his two nephews Sajib and Rajib.

He said, “Sajib and Rajib, their mother Shahnaj Begum, 30, grandmother Anwara, 50, and a relative named Farzana, 13, were going to Katpotti in Munshiganj by the launch from Sadarghat. Anwara’s body was recovered, Shahnaj and Farzana swam ashore but Sajib and Rajib are still missing.”

Ramesh of Kaliganj under Keraniganj Police Station who was also looking for her sister Jhumka, 22, said, “My sister was in the launch and remained missing since the incident.”

Syed Selim Sazzad, officer-in-charge (OC) of South Keraniganj Police Station, said five persons have so far claimed that their relatives remained missing. He said the boatmen, police and other people were asked to keep an eye on the river if any more bodies are found floating.

The OC also said they filed a case against the cargo driver. The cargo was taken to the police custody and the law enforcers are looking for the owner and the driver of the cargo.

Relatives received the bodies of 32 passengers while seven remained unidentified. Of the seven unidentified bodies, six were given to the Anjuman Mufidul Islam for burial. Police kept one body for post-mortem examination.

Earlier, the BIWTA announced Tk 20,000 for each victim’s family and Tk 2,000 more for the burial of each victim.

But a number of relatives of the victims alleged that they were not given money for burial.

A five-member inquiry committee, led by Joint Secretary of the Shipping Ministry Abdul Matin, started its investigation yesterday. The committee was given seven days to report.

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