Authorities have called off the rescue efforts in the launch capsize on the Shitalakshya River in Narayanganj with the death toll reaching 11.
Bandar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) BM Kudrat-e-Khuda called off the rescue mission late on Tuesday night, nearly three days after the “ML Ashraf Uddin” onboard with at least 50 passengers sank after being hit by a freight vessel “MV Rupshi-9”.
Fire Service and Civil Defence divers scoured the river over a course of three days, looking for dead bodies.
Out of the 11 deceased, 10 have been identified. They are Umme Khairun Fatima, 40, Joynal Bhuiyan, 50, Arifa Begum, 35, her son Shafayet Mahid, 2, Shilpi Rani, 19, Arohi, 3, Abdullah Al Jaber, 30, Salma Begum, 40, her daughter Fatema, 7 and Moslem Uddin Hatem, 55.
Moreover, another person Zobair Hossain, 35, is still missing but no one from his family contacted the authorities yet, said the UNO.
On Sunday, the “ML Asharaf Uddin” sank after being struck by the cargo, owned City Group, near the coal market in Sonakanda.
Around 20 people were able to swim ashore after jumping off the Munshiganj-bound launch while at least a dozen were reported missing.
On Monday, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) salvaged the sunken launch but no dead bodies were found inside.
Meanwhile, the eight crew members of Rupshi-9 who were arrested have been placed on three-day remands over the accident.
Three probe bodies have been formed to look into the matter.
