27 dead as launch capasizes after collision with cargo vessal in Bangladesh

TIL Desk/World/Dhaka/ At least 27 people died after a small launch carrying over 100 passengers capsized after colliding with a cargo vessel in Bangladesh’s Shitalakkhya river, officials said on Monday. The incident took place on Sunday evening at Narayanganj district, about 16 km southeast of Dhaka.

While five bodies were recovered on Sunday, rescuers retrieved 22 bodies on Monday as a salvage vessel pulled out the launch with the help of a huge crane around midday, rescue officials said. The rescue team comprised officials from Navy, Coast Guard, fire service and police.

The salvage operation is ended, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Chairman Commodore Golam Sadek told newsmen here, while live TV footages showed wailing family members and relatives of the victims crowding at the scene.

The passenger vessel, ML Sabit Al Hasan, sank after colliding with the cargo ship, SKL-3, at the mouth of the Syedpur Koyla Ghat on the Shitalakkhya River in Munshiganj. The launch was en route Munshiganj.