A crew member went missing after a ferry capsized on the Daulatdia-Paturia route in the middle of the Padma River in Paturia of Manikganj early Wednesday.
On information, divers from the local fire service rushed to the spot and managed to rescue 21 people. Officials said the ferry’s second engine master Humayun Kabir, 45, is still missing.
The ferry Rajanigandha, carrying pick-up trucks and covered vans, sank in the river around 8:30am, said Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Aricha office Deputy General Manager (DGM) Shah Md Khaled Newaz.
Truck drivers who survived the incident say that the ferry sank due to water entering through a hole. This claim is supported by at least five out of the 14 truck drivers who survived the sinking.
BIWTC officials said that the accident occurred when the ferry collided with the bulkhead.
The truck driver Ashik Sheikh, who was on the ferry, said: "The ferry got stuck due to dense fog, and we were waiting. Suddenly, a ferry staff member shouted that water was entering the ferry. He asked us to jump into the river. They did not provide us with any life jackets or anything. I jumped into the river and managed to save my life."
Another truck driver, Sajjad Ali, who was on another truck on the ferry, also said: “Around 1:30am, the ferry got stuck, and some said it was stuck on a submerged sandbank. But we found out that the ferry was stopped due to dense fog. Later, a ferry staff member informed us that it was sinking. Gradually, water started filling the ferry, and eventually, it sank.”
He further added: "There was no collision, and we did not hear any noise."
What do the authorities say?
Syed Mushfiqur Rahman, the superintendent of River Police for the Faridpur region, said: "The ferry collided with a submerged sandbank on its way from Daulatdia to the Paturia terminal. This caused a breach in the ferry’s bottom, allowing water to seep in. However, due to fog, the path was not visible, and the Rajnigandha ferry anchored about 200 to 250 yards away from the Paturia terminal. Afterwards, the ferry slowly filled with water and sank in the river around 8am with nine trucks on board."
Deputy General Manager of BIWTC's Aricha regional office Shah Md Khaled Newaz, said: "We have initially heard that the ferry sank due to a collision with a bulkhead. A five-member committee has been formed to investigate the incident."
When asked about the statements of the survivors, he said: “The actual cause of the accident can be said after the completion of the investigation.”
Earlier in the day, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said that he received information from the officials present at the scene that the ferry was moored very close to the shore and when a bulkhead hit the ferry, it started to sink.
He, however, said that the actual reason will be revealed once the probe bodies submit reports.
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."