At least 5,290 people died and 1,236 more went missing in launch accidents across the country in the last 20 years, said a non-government study yesterday.
The accidents have wiped out over 393 families as all members of these families died in the disasters, according to the study of PtbNews DotCom, an online news portal.
Besides, 656 families are struggling to survive as breadwinners of these families died in launch accidents, according to the study that was revealed at a function at Mukti Bhaban in the capital.      
The study identified 10 basic reasons behind recurrence of launch accidents. These include faulty design of vessels, corruption in design approval, unskilled drivers, overloading, plying of unfit vessels, and instalment of current net in rivers.
Around 50,000 vessels, including 37,000 unregistered ones, are plying on waters of the country, said the report. There are only 5 surveyors to check fitness of over 12,000 registered vessels.
The report recommended strengthening government bodies concerned with sufficient manpower, appointing skilled manpower, and ensuring access to weather forecasts.          
Presenting the study findings, researcher Ashis Kumar Dey emphasised introduction of a system that will incorporate Buet experts in vessel design approval committee.
Prof Mir Tareque Ali of Buet's Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering said three components--safe waterways, safe vessels and skilled drivers--are a must to ensure safety for passengers.  
Engineer M Inamul Haque, environmentalist and waterways expert, said corruption must be curbed for development of the country's water transport sector.