Two rescue ships could not recover the ferry that sank in the Padma River in Paturia of Manikganj early Wednesday.
Authorities now say that it might not be possible to rescue the sunken ferry Rajanigandha that was carrying pick-up trucks and covered vans.
Earlier in the day, a rescue ship from Mawa “Rustom” joined “Hamza” in the operation.
The vessels managed to recover a cotton-laden truck from the capsized ferry around 3pm.
With this, three of the nine vehicles that sank with the ferry were salvaged.
The ferry’s mechanical driver Humayun Kabir is yet to be found, said Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Aricha office Deputy General Manager (DGM) Shah Md Khaled Newaz.
Mohammad Sajahan, director of the Naval Conservation Service of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), said another rescue vehicle, Pratyay, will arrive by Friday to join the operation.
However, he said, it may not be possible to salvage the ferry, as it normally weighs 250 tons, and with sand and water, it will now weigh at least 330-350 tons. The capacity of the rescue ship is up to 250 tons.
Mohammad Sajahan also said that the rescue vessels are now now "out of capacity" even with alternative supports.
BIWTC Chairman Dr AKM Matiur said they will try to ensure all the vehicles that were on the ferry are rescued.
He also said that the investigation committee will find out how the accident happened.
“If our capacity cannot salvage the sunken ferry, then alternative arrangements will be taken,” he said.
Two probe bodies
Two separate investigation committees have been formed by the district administration and the BIWTC for this incident.
A five-member committee, headed by Additional District Magistrate Sanjida Jesmin, has been formed on behalf of the district administration. They have been asked to submit a report within the next seven working days.
Additionally, BIWTC Chairman Matiur Rahman said that they have formed a five-member committee to investigate this accident.
Deputy Commissioner Rehena Akhtar, after inspecting the site of the ferry sinking, said: "The initial cause of the ferry's sinking has not been confirmed. However, the matter will be confirmed after receiving the investigation report."