7 murdered on cargo vessel in Meghna

Highlights:

• MV Al-Bakhera owned by HP Enterprise
• Was going from Chattogram to Sirajganj with fertiliser
• Six of seven deceased crew members identified
• Vessel found in the Ishanbala area of Haimchar upazila
• Security forces went to scene after receiving call via 999
• Sharp weapon wounds on bodies of victims
• Police suspect old enmity behind attack as cargo left untouched
• Coast guard suspect attack by gang of pirates

Seven people were murdered as a cargo vessel with eight people onboard "came under an attack" in the Meghna River in Chandpur early today or the previous night.

The vessel "MV Al-Bakhera", owned by HP Enterprise, was found on the river in the Ishanbala area of Majherchar under Haimchar upazila this afternoon, said Lt Commander Takiul Ahsan, commander of the Coast Guard's Chandpur station.

Five people were found dead on the vessel, while three others were rescued with critical injuries. 

The injured were rushed to the 250-bed General Hospital at Chandpur Sadar where two of them died.

According to the Chandpur district police, six of the deceased are the vessel's master Kibria, driver Salauddin, greaser Sajibul Islam, lascars Azizul Munsi, Majedul Islam, and Aminul Munsi. The identity of the seventh victim could not be known immediately.

Sub-Inspector Nukul Bishwas of Harighat river police told TBS that all the victims were members of the vessel's crew. Other than the eight men, no one else was on the vessel.

The critically injured lone survivor, identified as Jewel, 28, was later sent to Dhaka, said Lt Commander Takiul.

Syed Mushfiqur Rahman, Chandpur region SP of the river police, told TBS that river police and Coast Guard personnel arrived at the scene around 3pm after receiving a call to the national emergency helpline 999.

The victims might have been killed with locally made weapons, said the SP, adding that they suspect previous enmity behind the incident as the ship's cargo was left untouched by the attackers.

However, Lt Commander Takiul said they suspect the casualties occurred after the vessel was attacked by an organised gang of pirates when it was on its way to Sirajganj's Baghabari.

He said they found the eight people on the ship in their respective cabins, lying under shawls or blankets. "From the outside, it seemed as if they were all asleep. However, closer inspection revealed that each of them had severe head injuries."

Officials suspect that the vessel came under attack during the night or in the early hours today.

Chandpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mohsin Uddin visited the spot.

The Ministry of Industries has formed an investigation committee and expressed condolences over the brutal murder and injury of crew members on the MV Al Bakera.

The committee has been instructed to submit a report within the next 5 working days with clear recommendations on the cause of the killings, the extent of damage and liability, and what to do in the future to prevent similar naval accidents.