To ensure safe and smooth travel during Eid-ul-Azha, members of Bangladesh Coast Guard has intensified special patrols and surveillance operations on key waterways across the southern parts of the country.
The key areas include- Chandpur, Shariatpur, Bhola, Hatiya in Noakhali and Barisal districts.
Some 135 launches are operating 24 hours across 23 southern districts, carrying thousands of Eid travelers returning home to celebrate with their loved ones.
An accident occurred around 12:20pm on Thursday as six passengers, including five from the one family, fell into the Buriganga River from the stairway of the MV Farhan-3 launch heading toward Monpura in Bhola, said Mobarak Hossain, deputy director of Dhaka river port.
They were rescued by boatmen nearby, he confirmed.
Among the rescued were three children, one woman and two teenagers.
They were traveling from Dhaka to Monpura.
There has been heavy pressure of passenger on route to Chandpur, Bhola, Patuakhali, Hatiya and Sandwip and around 135 to 145 launches are operating daily on these routes during the Eid rush, said Mobarak Hossain.
Meanwhile, during briefing, Navy Commander Harun-or-Rashid, at Pontoon No 13 of Sadarghat Launch Terminal, said that the Bangladesh Coast Guard has strengthened security at major launch terminals, ferry points and crossings across the country to ensure safe Eid journeys by water.
The Coast Guard, which has long been responsible for ensuring safety in coastal and riverine areas, has undertaken special measures in four zones—Dhaka, Bhola, Chittagong and Mongla.
It also enhanced patrols including searches of suspicious individuals and vessels, passenger bag scanning, public announcements via loudspeakers and distribution of awareness leaflets.
Special attention is being given to the Dhaka–Chandpur–Barisal–Patuakhali–Bhola route and launches on the Buriganga, Shitalakkhya, Gazaria and Meghna rivers.
Regular patrols are also being conducted at major terminals, including Chittagong's Sadarghat, Karnaphuli, Cox’s Bazar’s No 6 and Baroghop ghats, Khulna’s Rupsha, Koyra, Sharankhola and Kaikhali in Mongla and the Ilisha and Veduria terminals in Bhola, along with the DC Launch Terminal in Barisal.
The Coast Guard confirmed that its personnel are on 24-hour high alert to prevent any untoward incidents or acts of sabotage.
These special security operations will continue even after Eid to ensure safe journeys for all waterway passengers.
