The River Police has seized the cargo vessel that hit a launch in Narayanganj's Shitalakshya River, resulting in the capsize of the small vessel and the deaths of at least six people on Sunday afternoon.
“MV Rupshi-9” was seized and nine people onboard were detained from Gajaria of Munshiganj.
However, the master of the cargo vessel is absconding.
Mahmuda Mina, superintendent of Narayanganj River Police, confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune.
Meanwhile, the Shipping Ministry has formed a three-member probe committee with a joint secretary at the helm.
The committee, led by ANM Bazlul Rashid, has been asked to submit its report in three working days.
The district administration has formed another probe body headed by the additional deputy commissioner over the launch capsize.
The six-member body has been asked to submit its report within seven working days.
Dozens still remained missing as following the capsize of “ML Ashraf Uddin” in Shitalakshya River.
Two out of the five deceased have been identified as --dredger businessman Joynal Abedin Bhuiyan, 65, and two-year-old Mahid.
Joynal, a resident of Demra area of Dhaka, was going to Munshiganj. He swam to the shore but died in a heart attack, say police.
Three other victims – two women and a child – could not be identified immediately.
Narayanganj Fire Service Deputy Director Abdullah Al Arefin confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune around 6pm.
According to fire officials, there were at least at least 50 passengers on board when the vessel was hit by “MV Rupshi-9” in the Syedpur Al Amin Nagar area around 2:20pm.
The cargo ship was coming from City Mill in Bandar area and both the vessels were heading towards Munshiganj.
