A ferry, carrying vehicles and passengers, has partially sunk after being hit by a lighter vessel on the Kocha River in Pirojpur.
Four vehicles – three trucks and a bus – fell into the river after the collision on early Wednesday, said Abdul Hamid, Pirojpur Roads and Highways sub-assistant engineer.
However, there has been no report of casualty as the ferry’s captain managed to quickly take the vessel to a nearby shoal averting a disaster that could have killed many.
Kaukhali police station’s Officer-in-Charge Moniruzzaman said the ferry was carrying a passenger bus and eight trucks.
“A lighterage vessel coming from Bagerhat crashed into it in the middle of the river,” he said. “One of the ferry’s engines was damaged but the captain managed to run the vessel into a shoal in Bekutia with the help of the other engine.”
Fire service members rushed to the spot and were engaged in rescue work.
Authorities are looking for the lighterage vessel involved in the crash.
It is unclear what led to mid-river collision.
OC Moniruzzaman said the ferry passengers had been unharmed. The people on board the vessel and cows, that were being transported by the trucks, have been moved to the shore.
“A bus and three trucks had fallen into the river but no was killed thanks to the swift action of the ferry captain,” Kaukhali fire service’s in-charge Abu Bakar Siddiq said.
Pirojpur Road Division’s Executive Engineer Nazrul Islam said they were trying to recover the vehicles that had fallen into the river.
Another ferry has been brought in to keep traffic flow uninterrupted, he added.
Friday, March 28, 2025
