A Barisal-bound launch yesterday rammed into a Dhaka-bound vessel in the Meghna River, killing at least three people, including a child, and injuring 15 others.
The incident took place between MV Sundarban 8 and MV Parabat 9 near the Meghna-Dakatia confluence in Chandpur around 1:30am, claiming the lives of Shahana Begum, 60, her grandson Abrar Shakil, 6, and Rupa Begum, 30.
BIWTA officials and launch passengers said MV Sundarban was carrying around 2,000 passengers when MV Parabat rammed into it, damaging four cabins and parts of the second floor of the vessel.
Anil Chandra, a passenger of the MV Sundarban, told the Dhaka Tribune that Parabat rammed into their launch at an angle and completely crushed two first-floor VIP cabins as well as damaging several cabins on the second floor.
Many of the injured reportedly received their wounds from the initial impact of the collision and while running around in panic in thick fog. Passengers said most people on the vessel were asleep when the accident happened.
Shahana Begum was killed on the spot, her grandson Abrar died on his way to Dhaka, while Rupa was pronounced dead after being brought to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Md Monir Ahmed, in-charge of Chandpur River Police, said Shahana and her family, including son Mostafa Kamal who is a lieutenant commander of Bangladesh Navy, were returning to Dhaka from a vacation in Barisal. Shahana and Mostafa’s son Abrar died, while the other family members were injured.
Md Babu, husband of the other victim Rupa Begum, said their family was returning to Dhaka after attending a kulkhwani. All of the family members – travelling on the deck of MV Sundarban – were also hurt.
Mobarak Hossain, port director for Chandpur’s Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), told the Dhaka Tribune that one body was found at the scene of the accident, while the injured were first admitted to the Chandpur Sadar Hospital and later, eight of them were moved to Dhaka in critical condition.
The Parabat launch left the scene immediately after the accident, while the damaged MV Sundarban was driven to Dhaka in the morning.
MV Parabat 9 was later seized by the port authority in Barisal, but all the launch staff including the master of the vessel managed to flee.
Aftermath of the accident
Following the incident, the route permits, survey certificates and registrations of both MV Sundarban and MV Parabat have been suspended along with the licences of the two launch masters.
A four-member committee, headed by Sadarghat Surveyor Shahriar Hossain, has been formed to investigate the incident; while the authorities concerned have been directed to file a case with the marine court.
Meanwhile, MV Sundarban’s master Mujibur Rahman has filed a murder case with Chandpur Model police station in the evening, naming the master and staff of MV Parabat as the accused, Officer-in-Charge Abdul Quayum told the Dhaka Tribune.
