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Download PDF At least five people were still reported missing yesterday, three days after the launch capsize in the Buriganga. Relatives of the missing ones were searching for bodies, but could recover none since Friday morning.
Earlier, police said the number of missing passengers was 10, but they put it down to five yesterday.
Laxman Das of Panchabati of Narayanganj searched throughout the day for bodies of his seven-year-old son Ridoy, and niece Jhumka, 19. He found bodies of his wife Kabita Rani and two-year-old daughter Puja early Friday. The four were returning home after visiting a relative’s house at Keraniganj.
Fire Service and Civil Defence personnel, coastguards and local boatmen have so far recovered 39 bodies.
MV Sourav-1 sank in the river near Buriganga Bridge after being rammed from behind by a sand-laden cargo at 3:35pm Thursday. The double-decker started from Sadarghat launch terminal for Taltola of Munshiganj with around 140 passengers.
Meanwhile, the five-member committee formed to probe the incident yesterday requested witnesses, rescuers and those who survived the disaster to come up and tell what they know. Headed by shipping ministry joint secretary MA Matin, the committee will be at Sadarghat launch terminal for taking statements from 11:00am today.
The government asked it to submit report within seven days on the causes of capsize and recommendations to prevent repeats.
A member of the committee yesterday told The Daily Star that they have gathered that the launch sank because of the hit by the cargo.
Requesting not to be named, he said, “Several witnesses, passengers and rescuers that we’ve talked to led us to this belief.”
Meanwhile, sources at Sadarghat said no small launches plied Dhaka-Taltola and other small-distance routes yesterday, fearing crackdown by the authorities.
Besides, staff of vessels plying the long routes said the number of passengers have fallen by around 40 percent in the fallout from the capsize.
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