Paturia ferry tip-over: Rescue operation going on, vehicles stuck at ghat

Around 200 vehicles have been stranded on one-and-a-half-kilometre stretch of road following the rescue operation of a ferry that tipped over at Paturia Ghat yesterday.

The rescue operation of Amanat Shah ferry at Paturia Ghat resumed at 8:30am today.

Fazlur Rahman, chief of operation and joint director (rescue) of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) said, "Already 10 out of 14 vehicles have been rescued. We hope to rescue four other vehicles that went into the river."

"Another salvage vessel, Prattoy, will join the rescue operation tomorrow," he added.

Meanwhile, chief of seven-member probe committee and additional secretary (development) of Shipping Ministry Sultan Abdul Hamid and member secretary and director (technical) of BIWTC Md Rashedul Islam visited the spot and talked to the concerned people.

Authorities earlier stopped the rescue operation around 8:30pm yesterday.

A motorcycle, four trucks, and five covered vans were recovered, according to yesterday's information.

In addition to the salvage vessel Hamza, divers from the fire service are conducting separate rescue operation. Five trucks and three motorcycles are still missing.

The trucks are believed to be stuck beneath or near the ferry, according to authorities.

Shariful Islam, executive engineer at the Aricha office of BIWTA, said that they launched the rescue operation immediately after the Amanat Shah ferry capsized yesterday.