A launch narrowly avoided tragedy after sustaining damage on Kaptai Lake along the Juraichhari–Rangamati route on Thursday morning, with more than 200 passengers escaping unharmed.
The incident occurred at around 7:45am in the Pagujyachhari area of Juraichhari Upazila.
According to local sources, the launch was en-route from Juraichhari to Rangamati Sadar carrying over 200 passengers when it struck a submerged tree. The collision punctured the vessel’s hull, causing water to enter.
Panic briefly spread among passengers, but the lunch driver acted swiftly, steering the damaged launch towards the shore and facilitating a safe evacuation of all passengers.
Juraichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Bayezid-Bin-Akhand said that an alternative vessel was arranged to transport the passengers to their destination. The damaged launch was later taken to Rangamati.
Biswajit Dey, a lineman of the Launch Owners’ Association, confirmed that the accident occurred due to a collision with a tree hidden underwater. He credited the driver’s prompt response for preventing casualties.
No injuries or fatalities were reported.
