A launch passenger has been killed and four others injured as a launch rammed another anchored one in Meghna River in Barisal.
The incident occurred when the Sundarban-6 launch hit stationary launch Adventure-9 in Meghna River at Kaliganj in Mehendiganj upazila of Barishal at 1:30am Sunday.
The deceased was identified as Shakib Palowan, 20, son of one Razzak Palowan of Sreepur area in Mehendiganj upazila. He used to work as a tailor in Dhaka’s Keraniganj.
Ajmal Huda Mithu, deputy director of the Department of Water Safety and Traffic of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Barisal office, said the BIWTA authority has given instruction to form a probe body over the incident.
Masud, victim Shakib’s relative and Adventure-9 launch supervisor, said several people were injured after a Dhaka-bound launch Sundarban-6 from Barguna smacked the Dhaka-bound Adventure-9 from Barisal which was anchored on a char in Meghna River adjacent to Kaliganj due to low water in the river.
The injured passengers were taken to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College where duty doctor pronounced Shakib dead on Sunday morning, he added.
Barisal Sadar Naval Police Station Assistant Sub-inspector (ASI) also confirmed the matter.