Expressing grief and sorrow over the deaths of five passengers at the Sadarghat Launch Terminal on Thursday afternoon, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said that those responsible would be brought to book.
In a message, the state minister expressed condolences to the bereaved family members. He also wished speedy recovery to those injured.
Meanwhile, the government has formed a three-member committee to investigate the tragic deaths and given it five working days to submit its report.
The passengers were injured after a rope tied to a launch snapped and hit them at the terminal while boarding a launch at pontoon-11.
According to Fire Service and marine police, passenger launches MV Pubali and MV Tasrif-4 were tied to the pontoon with wire ropes.
At one stage, the rope of MV Tasrif-4 broke into pieces and hit the passengers after another launch, MV Farhan, tried to anchor in between the two launches, said Fire Service Senior Officer Anwarul Islam Dolan.
