Barisal-bound launch catches fire mid-river, no casualties reported
Launch staff put out the flames before it could spread
File photo of docked launches at the Sadarghat terminal in Dhaka Dhaka Tribune
Ibrahim Rony, Chandpur
Publish : 09 Jan 2022, 12:56 PMUpdate : 09 Jan 2022, 12:57 PM
A fire broke out on a Barisal-bound launch carrying over 400 passengers late on Saturday, just a couple of weeks after a massive blaze on a similar vessel claimed dozens of lives.
The launch authorities, however, were prompt to take actions to prevent the flames from spreading as well as any casualties, after leaving Dhaka’s Sadarghat terminal at around 9pm.
The launch “MV Surabhi 9” dropped anchor an hour later at the Mohonpur terminal in Chandpur as the passengers demanded that the staff do so after noticing smoke on the vessel.
“After the passengers made a commotion, the launch turned off one of its engines and used the other one to reach the Mohonpur terminal. Coast Guard, River Police and Fire Service personnel went to the spot upon receiving the information,” said Rezaul Karim, a BIWTA traffic inspector based at the terminal.
Meanwhile, Mohonpur river police outpost in-charge Wahiduzzaman said officials of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) will check the vessel for technical issues.
Necessary arrangements will be made if any problems are found, he added.
Meanwhile, the Fire Service said there was no fire on the launch.
“One of the two silencer pipes might have heated up, emitting smoke in the process. But there was no blaze,” said Chandpur Fire Service Deputy Assistant Director Sahidul Islam.
“The passengers panicked recalling the recent fire on another launch,” he remarked.
On the other hand, terminal official Kaysarul Islam said a small fire did indeed start on the vessel, but added that it has been doused.
“Neither the passengers nor the launch were harmed. Arrangements were made to send the passengers to Barisal in another launch,” he added.
Barisal-bound launch catches fire mid-river, no casualties reported
Launch staff put out the flames before it could spread
A fire broke out on a Barisal-bound launch carrying over 400 passengers late on Saturday, just a couple of weeks after a massive blaze on a similar vessel claimed dozens of lives.
The launch authorities, however, were prompt to take actions to prevent the flames from spreading as well as any casualties, after leaving Dhaka’s Sadarghat terminal at around 9pm.
The launch “MV Surabhi 9” dropped anchor an hour later at the Mohonpur terminal in Chandpur as the passengers demanded that the staff do so after noticing smoke on the vessel.
“After the passengers made a commotion, the launch turned off one of its engines and used the other one to reach the Mohonpur terminal. Coast Guard, River Police and Fire Service personnel went to the spot upon receiving the information,” said Rezaul Karim, a BIWTA traffic inspector based at the terminal.
Meanwhile, Mohonpur river police outpost in-charge Wahiduzzaman said officials of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) will check the vessel for technical issues.
Necessary arrangements will be made if any problems are found, he added.
Meanwhile, the Fire Service said there was no fire on the launch.
“One of the two silencer pipes might have heated up, emitting smoke in the process. But there was no blaze,” said Chandpur Fire Service Deputy Assistant Director Sahidul Islam.
“The passengers panicked recalling the recent fire on another launch,” he remarked.
On the other hand, terminal official Kaysarul Islam said a small fire did indeed start on the vessel, but added that it has been doused.
“Neither the passengers nor the launch were harmed. Arrangements were made to send the passengers to Barisal in another launch,” he added.
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