Shitalakkhya launch capsize: 2 probe bodies formed

So far, five women's bodies have been recovered while at least 28 passengers are still missing

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Two probe bodies have been formed as a small launch with more than 100 people on board sank after colliding with a cargo vessel in the Shitalakkhya River on Sunday.

Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Mostain Billah said a seven-member probe committee headed by Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Kharija Tahera Bobby has been formed to investigate the incident.

The district administration will give a grant of Tk25,000 to each of the deceased’s family for the burial process, he added.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) formed a four-member investigation committee, led by BIWTA director (Maritime Security) Rafiqul Islam, as per the direction of BIWTA Chairman Commodore Golam Sadeq.

On Sunday, the passenger vessel, ML Sabit Al Hasan, sank after colliding with the cargo ship, SKL-3, at the mouth of the Syedpur Koyla Ghat on the Shitalakkhya River in Munshiganj around 7pm. Police and onlookers said the cargo vessel fled the scene after the collision.                

The launch had an estimated 150 passengers. Port Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Deepak Chandra Saha confirmed that 50-60 of them were able to swim in the two banks, but three of them had to be rushed to the hospital.

So far, five women's bodies have been recovered while at least 28 passengers are still missing. The bodies have been sent to Narayanganj General Hospital.

 Narayanganj naval police OC Md Shahidul Alam said : “The launch, which was on its way to Munshiganj from Narayanganj Central Launch Terminal, reached a place near the under construction bridge in Charsaidpur area of Shitalakkhya River and was hit by the cargo ship.

“Our rescue operation is underway.”

Narayanganj District Deputy Director of Fire Service and Civil Defense Abdullah Al Arefin said: “So far, a total of five women's bodies have been recovered in the incident while 20-30 people are still missing.

“Due to the storm, we were late in starting the rescue work. However, the rescue work is still ongoing,” he added.

Meanwhile, the relatives of the passengers who went missing in the launch sinking are crowding on the banks of Shitalakkhya in search of their relatives.