Six die, dozens missing

At least six people were killed as a launch carrying more than 50 passengers capsized after a collision with a cargo vessel in the Shitalakkhya River in Narayanganj on Sunday.

Confirming the number of casualties, the media cell of the Fire Service and Civil Defence said around 20 to 25 people were still missing.

The victims included two men, three women and a child, it added.

Dhaka River Port official Gulzar Ali said the launch, ML Afsar Uddin, was heading towards Munshiganj from Narayanganj launch terminal.

It sank near the Syedpur Koyla Ghat area around 2:15pm when the cargo vessel, MV Rupshi-9, ran over the small launch, he said.

Witnesses said 15 to 20 people managed to swim ashore. The law enforcers seized the cargo vessel from the Meghna Ghat area on Sunday evening.

Mina Mahmuda, superintendent of River Police in Narayanganj, said they detained the master of MV Rupshi-9 and others and were interrogating them.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Shipping and the Narayanganj district administration formed two separate probe committees to investigate the incident.

Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Monjurul Hafiz said the local administration will provide Tk 25,000 as assistance to the families of each deceased.

The Fire Service and Civil Defence said they suspended the rescue operation for the night and will resume it Monday morning.