Kopotakkho ferry runs aground on Sandwip route, over 160 passengers stranded

The Kopotakkho ferry ran aground on the Bashbaria-Guptachhara route this afternoon (6 September), leaving more than 160 passengers and several vehicles stranded for hours due to poor navigability.

The vessel, carrying three passenger buses and around 165 passengers, departed from Sandwip's Guptachhara ghat at 2:30pm but became stuck at the mouth of the canal within 10 minutes.

Around 8:30pm, ferry master Shamsul Alam Saiful told the Business Standard that the ferry would remain stranded until the tide rises around 10pm.

"This is the first such incident since the ferry was inaugurated. Due to heavy siltation, navigability has fallen sharply. Without urgent dredging, this problem will keep repeating," he said.

Most passengers were taken to Chattogram by speedboats, except for a few women who remained on board, Saifu said, adding that once the tide comes, the vessel will continue its journey to Bashbaria.

Launched in March this year, with much anticipation, the Kapotakkho ferry service was introduced to provide a direct link between Sandwip and the mainland.