37 die as Jhalakathi launch goes up in flames

At least 37 passengers perished after a fire broke out in "MV Abhijan-10", a river ferry, on the River Sugandha in Jhalakathi early Friday.

The number of casualties is likely to rise as many of the passengers have severe burns.

The incident took place around 3 am while the launch was on its way to Barguna from Dhaka.

Jhalakathi Deputy Commissioner Zohor Ali confirmed the news of the fire incident.

After receiving information about the fire around 3:28 am, fifteen fire service teams reached the spot around 3:50 am. After two hours of frantic efforts, the fire was brought under control around 5:20 am.

Kamal Uddin Bhuiyan, deputy director of Barishal Divisional Fire Service, who led the rescue drive, said the fire is believed to have started in the engine room and quickly spread as the ferry travelled along the River Sugandha in the early hours.

The vessel was reportedly carrying about 1,000 passengers, according to witnesses and passengers.

Passengers who escaped from the fire incident said the fire broke out from the canteen and engine room and continued for hours.

A passenger, Ashraful, said the fire spread from the back side of the ground floor of the launch to the 2nd floor's front side when it reached the Deuri area of Ponabalia union.

Atiqul Islam, another passenger of the launch, said many people died from smoke and gas originated following the fire.

Many passengers jumped into the river to escape the fire, he added.

Some people who were on board the ferry told the media that the vessel seemed to have issues with its engine before the blaze and later became filled with smoke. They also alleged that the vessel was running at an excessive speed.

Photo: TBS

Ever since the launch left Sadarghat for Barguna at 7 pm on Thursday, its speed had been reckless. Four technicians were working to repair the faulty engine. For this, they were trying the two engines running them at full speed. And this basically caused the engines to heat up excessively and catch fire.

Launch authorities were busy checking tickets and collecting fares when the fire broke out, they told the media, adding employees of the launch fled the vessel without making any efforts to extinguish the fire.

Although witnesses and passengers say the three-decked vessel was overcrowded, launch officials rebuff this claim.

Ahmed Bhuiyan, cabin boy of the launch, said, "There were 350 passengers on the launch. Most of the cabin passengers upstairs jumped into the river. All those who were asleep died."

The charred bodies of the fire victims have been handed over to police, said fire service official Kamal Uddin. The police will hand over the bodies to their families after DNA tests as the bodies were severely burned and disfigured, making identification impossible, he added.

Besides, 11 bodies were sent to the hospital morgue.

Passengers also claimed that initially it was not possible to control the fire due to a lack of adequate fire-fighting systems.

A staff member at the launch also acknowledged that the launch did not have adequate fire fighting systems.

Jhalokathi Additional Superintendent of Police Moinul Haque said, "Around 90 people with burn injuries have been rescued from the launch.

"Some 66 with serious burns have been admitted to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College and Hospital (SBMCH) in Barisal. The others are being treated at Jhalakathi Sadar Hospital."

Of the 66 with up to 50% burns, 18 are women, said Dr Moniruzzaman, assistant director at the SBMCH.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday expressed deep shock and sorrow over the casualties in the fire incident.

Besides, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, state minister for shipping, also expressed deep condolences over the deaths of the launch passengers.

The state minister visited the spot and announced that  the Bangladesh Integrated Water Resources Assessment will provide Tk1.5 lakh in financial aid to the families of each of those killed in Friday's launch fire.

Besides, the Jhalakathi district administration announced to provide Tk25,000 to each deceased's family.

What the BIWTA says

All launches are bound to maintain the fire extinguisher system to control a fire immediately after it is originated, says the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA).

"Launches get permission to ply after they get survey certificates, including one regarding the fire extinguisher system. And it [fire extinguisher system] should be maintained regularly," said Mustafizur Rahman, deputy director of the BIWTA (Port), Barishal.

He, however, mentioned that the Department of Shipping is entitled to monitor the safety aspect.

Asked, Nurul Kabir, deputy director of the BIWTA (Shipping), Barishal told The Business Standard, "I can't comment on the fire safety system of the launch as it directly moves from Dhaka to Barguna without touching the Barishal launch terminal." 

Probe bodies formed

The shipping ministry on Friday formed a seven-member inquiry committee to probe the launch fire incident.

Tofail Ahmed, joint secretary to the shipping ministry, has been made the convener of the committee, while Deputy Secretary Aminur Rahman will work as the member secretary.

The other members of the committee are: one representative from Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and one each from the Department of Shipping, Naval Police, District Administration and the Fire Service.

The committee has been asked to submit its report to the ministry within the next three working days, a ministry press release said.

Besides, BIWTA has formed a six-member probe committee to look into the incident.

Also, a five-member investigation committee headed by Nazmul Alam, additional deputy commissioner of Jhalakathi, has been asked to submit its report within three working days. 

Recurring incidents

Friday's devastating blaze on the "overcrowded" MV Abhijan 10 now adds to recurring incidents of ferry capsize, thanks to a culture of not holding those responsible accountable for waterway casualties. 

The fire killed at least 40 people and injured several others who boarded the passenger vessel. 

According to a report published by the Accident Research Institute (ARI) of Buet in April this year, in between 2005 and 2020, 576 incidents occurred in the country's waterways, where 1,822 people were killed and 419 injured, and 864 are still missing.

In 2021 alone, 188 people died in 712 waterway incidents till 23 December, according to data published by a voluntary organisation, Save the Road, on Friday. 

A Jatri Kalyan Samity report showed that in 2020, at least 313 lost their lives in such casualties.

In most incidents, vessels capsized because of unskilled crew members and unfit vehicles. Inadequate safety measures is another reason for the high death count. 

Talking to The Business Standard, BIWTA Director Commodore Golam Sadeq said the authorities train vessel crew members to prevent accidents. 

"We take measures to prevent all kinds of accidents. Arrangements are made regularly to train the masters and crew of the launches to prevent accidents," he said. 

According to a 2021 report published by BIWTC, 387 ships have capsized over the last 11 years. 

Nevertheless, due to the lack of enforcement of related laws, justice has hardly been served to the victims.  

Sadeq commented that the waterways authorities investigate each accident and take legal action.