The death toll from Saturday’s launch capsize in Ramnabad river in Golachipa uapzila of Patuakhali rose to 13 with the recovery of five more bodies on Sunday morning.
Abdul Halim, Sub Inspector (investigation) of Kolagachi police station told the Dhaka Tribune that five more bodies have been recovered from Ramnabad river on Sunday morning.
Out of five, four were identified as Nasima, 31, Renu, 25, Mizan, 35, and Rashida Begum, 30.
The identity of the rest one could not be known yet.
At least, 25 passengers have been still missing, he said.
Earlier, eight bodies had been recovered till Saturday night.
Six of them were identified as Rishat, 5, Lutfa, 50, Runia, 20, Monwara, 50, Esahaq, 6, and Nebu Begum, 35.
The identities of rest two could not be known yet.
Over 50 people went missing after the launch MV Sathil caught in storm capsized in Ramnabad river in the middle of Sikdarbari point 3 between Eshadi and Kalagachhia launch stations while it was heading to Patuakhali from Golachipa on Saturday afternoon.
Of them, only 13 passengers managed to swim ashore, the bodies of 13 people were recovered and the rest is still missing now.
Deputy Commissioner of Patuakhali Amitav Sarkar told the Dhaka Tribune that a ten-member fire service team and another ten-member Bangladesh Navy team will start their salvation drive on Sunday.
However, rescue vessel and firemen have already started rescue operation from Barisal, he said.
A five-member probe body with Mohammad Hossain, Director of River Conservancy of BIWTC, has been formed to investigate into the deadly launch capsize incident, he added.
