At least 20 people have been injured in a ferry accident in the Padma River in Munshiganj, officials said on Friday.
The accident occurred when a ro-ro ferry, named Shahjalal, crashed into a pillar of the Padma Bridge near the Mawa area of Munshiganj at around 9am, reports UNB.
Though the front part of the vessel has been mangled, there was no structural damage to the bridge, the officials said, adding that all the injured had been admitted to nearby hospitals.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Assistant General Manager Shafiqul Islam said the passengers fell over each other as the ferry hit the pillar.
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"Some 33 vehicles that the ferry was carrying also sustained minor damages due to the impact of the crash, which completely destroyed the pantry area of the vessel," he said.
The ferry master, Abdur Rahman, said the steering wheel got dislocated as the vessel's electrical circuit broke down suddenly and strong river current triggered the crash.
BIWTC suspended the ferry master later in the day for failing to operate the vessel properly, reports BSS.
The bridge authority has expressed concern as three ferries have collided with the pillars this month alone.