3 killed as truck rams vehicles off ferry into Dhaleshwari River in N'ganj

Three people were killed after a truck on a ferry suddenly started, lost control, and rammed several vehicles into the Dhaleshwari River in Fatullah, Narayanganj Sadar upazila.

The incident occurred around 9:30pm on Saturday (20 December) while the ferry was travelling from Narsinghpur ghat to Boktaboli ghat.

Police said as the ferry reached midstream, a loaded truck on board suddenly started by itself and veered out of control, crashing into two battery-powered autorickshaws, a motorbike, and a rickshaw van. The impact broke the ferry's railing, causing the truck and all five vehicles to plunge into the river.

Motorbike rider Rafiq sustained critical injuries and died later at hospital after being rescued.

The bodies of rickshaw van driver Shadhin and another man named Masud, who went missing after the incident, were later recovered from the river.

Boktaboli Water Police Outpost Inspector Rokibuzzaman said, "Rafiq died at hospital, while the bodies of Shadhin and Masud were recovered from the scene."

Crowds gather at the Boktaboli ghat in Narayanganj on Saturday night after a truck suddenly started on a ferry, broke through the railing and plunged into the Dhaleshwari along with four other vehicles. Photo: Collected

Several ferry passengers and the truck driver managed to swim ashore immediately after the accident, but the three victims could not be saved. Upon receiving information, water police and fire service personnel launched overnight rescue operations.        

Police said an investigation is underway to determine how the truck's engine started while on the ferry.