Fire on launch in Jhalakathi: Death toll goes up to 35
At least 35 passengers were killed after a fire broke out in the engine room of a launch on the Sugandha River near Jhalakathi Sadar upazila early today.
Firefighters recovered 29 burnt bodies and six others were floating in the river.
"Thirty-five bodies have been recovered till now," Jhalakathi Deputy Commissioner Joror Ali told The Daily Star.
The fire started around 3:00 am on the Barguna-bound MV Abhijan-10 launch that started journey from Dhaka.
"After receiving the information, 15 firefighting units led by Kamal Uddin Bhuiyan, deputy director of Barishal Division Fire Service and Civil Defence went to the scene at 3:50 am and brought the fire under control at 5:20 am," read a fire service control room message.
Meanwhile, 72 injured passengers were rescued from the launch and were sent to several nearby hospitals, the message also read adding that the burnt vessel is currently anchored on the banks of the Sugandha River.
The coast guard, local people, police and local volunteers assisted the fire service in the search and rescue operation, added the message.
Among the injured, 67 have been admitted to Barishal Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital (SBMCH) while others three have been referred to Dhaka, said SBMCH Director AHM Saiful Islam, reports our Barishal correspondent.
"Four to five of the victims are in critical condition. A 50-member special team of doctors and nurses is on its way to join us from Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka," he added.
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury left for Jhalakathi to supervise the overall situation, Senior Information Officer of the ministry Jahangir Alam Khan told The Daily Star.
A six-member committee has been formed to probe the incident. It will be headed by Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Additional Director (Ports and Transportation Department) Saiful Islam, according to BIWTA sources.
Meanwhile, a five-member investigation committee headed by Jhalakathi Additional Deputy Commissioner Nazmul Alam has been asked to submit its report within three working days, said Jhalakathi Deputy Commissioner Johor Ali.
Many of the passengers had to jump in the river to save themselves from the fire. The number of casualties might increase, the survivors feared.
"The engine room of the launch suddenly caught fire around 3:00 am and spread rapidly when the vessel was near the Gabkhan Bridge," said Saidur Rahman, one of the survivors.
"There were around 500 passengers including children and elderly. Many of them jumped in the river and were able to swim ashore," he said.
"I caught a burning smell and came out of VIP cabin to find out that there was a fire. Me, my wife and brother-in-law then jumped in the cold water and swam to the bank," he described.
PM mourns
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed profound shock and sorrow over the casualties in the launch fire.
In a message of condolence, she prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls and early recovery of those injured in the fire, reports BSS.
She conveyed her deepest sympathies to the bereaved family members.
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