3 killed in launch collision in Meghna
3 killed in launch collision in Meghna
At least three people, including a minor boy, were killed and nine others injured in a collision between two launches in Meghna river in Chandpur Sadar upazila early yesterday.
The dead are Shahana Begum, 56, Rupa, 27, and Abrahar Shakil, 6. All of them hail from Barisal.
Dhaka-bound MV Sundarban-8 from Barisal collided with Barisal-bound MV Parabat-9 at the confluence of Meghna river around 1:30am.
Four cabins and a large area of the deck of Sundarban-8 were severely damaged in the collision. All the victims were passengers of Sundarban-8, reports our Barisal and Chandpur correspondents, referring to government officials and passengers.
However, the launch carrying around 1,500 passengers narrowly escaped sinking, said passengers.
Nigar Sultana Hanufa, a passenger of Sundaraban-8, said, “Most of the passengers were sleeping at that time. Suddenly, the launch got hit and started to tilt. Panic gripped us all.”
“We are very lucky that our vessel's master and driver succeeded to anchor the launch at the Chandpur river port,” she added.
After anchoring the launch, all the injured were rushed to Chandpur General Hospital. Later, they were transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
Shahana died on the spot while Shakil and Rupa died on the way to the DMCH.
Hours after the collision, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) cancelled route permits of both the launches, Shafiqul Haque, director (river safety and traffic) of the BIWTA, told The Daily Star.
Department of Shipping (DoS) has formed a four-member probe body headed by its Ship Surveyor Shahriar Hossain to investigate the accident. The probe body was asked to submit its report by 16 working days, said DoS Chief Engineer Fakhrul Islam.
The DoS has also suspended fitness certificate and registrations of both the vessels as well as driving license of four masters of the two vessels, he told The Daily Star.
Two accident cases have been filed with the marine court against the master and other staff of the launches. Police seized Parabat-9 at Barisal.
Mujibur Rahman, an official of Sundarban Navigation Company, submitted a written statement to the Chandpur Model Police Station, demanding compensation from the officials of Parabat-9.