At least 6 killed as water vessels collide in Chandpur, N'ganj due to low visibility amid dense fog
At least six passengers were killed and 15 others injured when water vessels collided in Chandpur and Narayanganj districts amid dense fog in the early today (27 December).
One of the collisions occurred around 2am in the Nilkamal Bangla Bazar area of Haimchar upazila in Chandpur, along the Meghna River's boundary waters, confirmed Chandpur River Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) ASM Iqbal and Sadarghat River Police In-charge Sohag Rana.
The deceased, all passengers of the launch MV Zakir Samrat-3, were identified as Abdul Gani, 38, from Kajirabad village in Lalmohan upazila of Bhola; Md Saju, 45, from the same village; Rina, 35, from Kachukhali Gojaria village; and Md Hanif, 60, from Ahmedpur village in Charfession upazila.
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Chandpur region River Police Assistant Superintendent Imtiaz Ahmed said the death toll currently stands at four.
He added that Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain was scheduled to visit Sadarghat to inspect the damaged launch involved in the accident.
OC ASM Iqbal said river police reached the scene around 2:45am but found no launches at the site as both vessels had already left the area. However, the Barishal-bound launch MV Adventure-9 was seized later in the morning at Jhalakathi while travelling from Barishal.
Passengers said MV Zakir Samrat-3, which departed from Ghosherhat in Bhola for Dhaka, was crossing the Haimchar river zone shortly after 2am. At the same time, MV Adventure-9, carrying passengers returning to Barishal from a BNP conference in Dhaka, was travelling in the opposite direction.
Due to extremely poor visibility caused by dense fog across the river, Adventure-9 reportedly lost its bearings and rammed Zakir Samrat-3 at high speed.
Passengers further said Zakir Samrat-3 was left severely damaged and began sinking mid-river. Another Dhaka-bound launch, MV Karnaphuli-9, arrived from Bhola and rescued many passengers before continuing towards the capital.
Bulkhead sinks in N'ganj
In another incident caused by dense fog, two people were killed as a passenger launch collided with a sand-laden bulkhead anchored in the Dharmaganj area of Fatullah, Narayanganj, around 6am today.
The bulkhead, identified as MB Kasfa Shahana, sank immediately after being hit by the Dhaka-bound launch Sundarban-16.
Relatives initially reported that two staff members of the bulkhead went missing. Narayanganj Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer SM Faiz Uddin later confirmed that divers have recovered the bodies of the missing individuals -- Zahirul Islam Shakil, 25, from Patuakhali, and Md Hasan, 20, from Jhalakathi.
According to police, the launch struck the bulkhead while it was anchored in front of a dockyard. Of the five staff members on board the bulkhead, three managed to jump into the water and save their lives, while the remaining two were feared trapped inside.
Additional DIG of River Police Alamgir Hossain confirmed the accident occurred due to heavy fog and said the launch involved has been detained.
BIWTA Joint Director Mahmud-Al-Hasan said, "We are attempting to reach the cabin where the two missing staff were reportedly sleeping. However, the rescue operation is being significantly hampered by the intense cold."
Divers from both the Coast Guard and Fire Service are continuing the search operation.
No casualties in Amirabad
In a separate accident in Chandpur's Amirabad, the Barishal-bound MV M Khan-7, which had departed from Dhaka, was damaged in a collision around 12am. However, no casualties were reported.
Launch supervisor Shahadat Hossain said MV M Khan-7 was travelling from Dhaka to Barishal with around 300 passengers on board. While crossing the Meghna River near Amirabad, the Chandpur-bound passenger launch Eagle-4 rammed into the side of M Khan-7.
As a result, the launch's toxin bin and sewer pipes were damaged, though no passengers were injured. The incident was reported to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA).
Following the collision, MV M Khan-7 safely reached Barishal River Port with its passengers and was anchored there. Repair work on the vessel is underway.
Launch clerk Amit said the vessel remains docked at Barishal River Port for repairs, adding that the extent of damage to Eagle-4 was not immediately known.
Barishal River Police Officer-in-Charge Asim Kumar Sikder said they had received reports of casualties in the Meghna launch accidents.
"We are currently in Jhalakathi with the circle assistant superintendent of police, inspecting the damaged Adventure launch," he said.
Attempts to contact BIWTA Barishal River Port officials were unsuccessful, as calls went unanswered.
