Sakhawat announces compensation for launch accident victim

Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain has said the government will provide Tk1.5 lakh each to the families of the persons died in a lunch accident at Chandpur today (25 December).

Families of the each injured persons will get Tk50,000, he said while talking to reporters after inspecting the damaged launches at Sadarghat in the capital.

"Today's incident was sad one. Among all the types of transport, the river route is the safest, yet any accident might happen," he said.

At least 6 killed as water vessels collide in Chandpur, N'ganj due to low visibility amid dense fog

He shared his personal experience in water route journey saying, "I myself travel by waterway, and I have also noticed that many vessels don't use light while operating in the dark at night."

An eight-member committee has been formed by the ministry to probe into the incident and the authorities concerned were asked to arrest those responsible for the launch accident, he said.

The shipping adviser said the real cause behind the incident could be known after investigation.

The adviser said several instructions have already been given. "No launch will operate in fog at night and lights must be used if parked anywhere at night. Bulkheads will not operate before 8 am this season, and those who violate the instructions will be arrested."

In the future, he said, if any launch drivers do not operate the launch properly or do not use lights at night or do not follow the instructions, their route permits and licenses will be canceled.

Four people were killed in a collision between two passenger launches — Zakir Samrat-3 and Adventure-9 amid dense fog on the Meghna River in the Harina area of Chandpur Sadar.

The deceased were identified as Abdul Gani, 38, Md Saju, 45, Md Hanif, 60 and Mosa Rina, 35. All of them hail from Bhola district.