Launch fire: 30 unidentified bodies to be buried in mass grave

The bodies of 30 as-yet-unidentified people killed in a fire on a Barguna-bound launch in Jhalakathi will be buried in a mass grave. 

“We will complete the burial of 30 bodies in a mass grave in Potkakhali after funeral prayers at 11am on Saturday. DNA samples of the bodies have been preserved,” Barguna Deputy Commissioner Habibur Rahman said.

The coffins of the 30 unidentified people who will be buried in a mass grave in Potkakhali of Barguna, Saturday, December 25, 2021 Courtesy

Of the 41 bodies found following the deadly fire, nine were handed over to their families. 

The Jhalakathi district administration handed over the remaining 32 bodies to the Barguna district authorities, of which only two had been identified when the last report came in.

On Friday, at least 41 people lost their lives in the fire on MV Obhijan 10 on the Sugandha River in Jhalakathi. 

The authorities fear the death toll may rise as many passengers still remain missing.