Civil committee finds grave negligence

A civil committee formed to probe MV Abhijan-10 fire incident has found negligence of four government officials and four launch owners, along with irresponsibility of four operators.

In a press briefing at Dhaka Reporters' Unity auditorium yesterday, the probe body disclosed its findings with 25 recommendations.

The probe report said after September last year, MV Abhijan-10 was not in operation for three months, although it had route permit and survey-period.

"Authorities didn't ask the reason for this. Three months later, the launch's first trip was on December 19, and the fire incident occurred on December 23," said Ashish Kumar Dey, chief coordinator of the committee, while presenting the report.

The fire killed 49 people and injured many on December 24.

The committee found the presence of gas cylinders beside the engine room and absence of adequate numbers of fire extinguishers and life-boats, among other issues.

The 19-member committee found joint director of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority Joynal Abedin, traffic inspector Dinesh Das, inspector of water transport department Md Habibur Rahman and ship surveyor Md Mahbubur Rashid to be negligent in their duties.

The report said four launch owners -- Hamzalal Sheikh, Shamim Ahmed, Rasel Ahmed, Ferdous Hasan Rabbir -- launch masters Reaz Shikder and Khalilur Rahman, and drivers Masum Billah and Abul Kalam were also responsible for the incident.

Convener of the committee and chairperson of Poribesh Bachao Andolon Abu Naser Khan said, "Our aim is to make sure that the government-formed probe committee identifies those involved and punish them. We also aim to point out the loopholes in such cases."

The report urged authorities to enact a law to compensate families of victims and injured, in which provisions to determine the amount of money and how to collect compensation from those responsible are present.

Every vessel must have its own Ansar members or security guards, and cameras in crucial places including the engine room and entrance, the committee recommended.

The probe body also recommended ensuring that the fire safety system is functional, launches have clearance from fire service, and that fire service authorities are involved during inspection.

Earlier, the government-led probe body also found three of their officials responsible for the incident, but they are yet to get punished.

Contacted, Shipping Secretary Mezbah Uddin Chowdhury told the Daily Star that they have started the process of taking departmental action against the officials.