Mini-launches likely to be withdrawn permanently

Mini-launches like MV Rishan Morning Bird may be stopped permanently from operating in the capital's Sadarghat terminal, officials said.

"The vessels are of old-design. So, we will gradually initiate water vessels with contemporary designs which will be safer," said Commodore Golam Sadeq, chairman of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA).

"Also, we will set different routes for different vessels to reduce the chance of accidents," he said, adding that no vessel can run without a licensed operator.

"Vessels have to have proper fitness to run."

Asked about Morning Bird, Sadeq said, "Its fitness certificate was up-to-date, and it was not so old. It was built in 2012. But its model was old."

He said these vessels cannot be stopped right now as a huge number of passengers from nearby stations are using their services.

Meanwhile, the launch that sank was salvaged around 12:45pm on Tuesday after 28hours of continuous efforts.

In the meantime, the dead body of a boy aged around 20 was found. Jahangir Alam Sikder, a freelancer diver, found the body in the engine room of the launch.

With this, the total number of deaths rose to 34. Of the deceased, 23 were men, eight were women and three were children.

The BIWTA chairman said, "We have salvaged the launch and we  have towed it to the bank of the river. The owner of the launch will take it from here".

"Salvaging a launch using airbags is a risky process, but divers were well-experienced and trained, and they handled it well."

Responding to a query, he said, "We still do not know what the actual cause of the accident was. After completing the investigation, we will know."

In response to another query, Sadeq said, "Police have not been able to arrest any of the culprits yet, but are trying their best. Soon, the criminals will be arrested."

Besides the BIWTA, naval police have also filed a case accusing seven people, including the owner of MV Moyur-2 and its operator. The case was filed at West Keraniganj Police Station early Tuesday.

After that, police raided the houses of the accused, but they are on the run, said Naval Police Superintendent Faridul Islam.

"As we have taken the matter seriously, we will arrest them wherever they are," he added.

Meanwhile, there is no trace of the owner of MV Rishan Morning Bird.

Faridul said, "The Morning Bird owner has not come to us yet. We are trying to communicate with him. But at the moment, our highest priority is to arrest the accused."

On Tuesday afternoon, the investigation committee of the shipping ministry took statements of BIWTA and fire service officials.

Convener of the committee,joint secretary (development) Mohammad Rafiqul Islam Khan, said, "Today, we revisited Moyur-2 and watched the CCTB footage to scrutinise it."

"We will take statements of eye-witnesses tomorrow," he added.

Replying to a query, he said, "We believe we will complete the investigation within seven days."

On Monday morning, Dhaka-bound MV Rishan Morning Bird, with 50 passengers onboard, capsized and sank when MV Moyur-2 rammed into it from behind.