10 hurt as launch catches fire in Chandpur

At least 10 people including women and children were injured as a Dhaka-bound launch from Bhola, the Karnafuli-3, caught fire in the middle of the Meghna River in the Majherchar area in Chandpur's Haimchar on Saturday.

Md Shahadat Hossain, deputy director of Chandpur BIWTA, said the fire broke out around 11:30am due to a technical glitch.

At the time, 10 people were injured in the launch fire incident as they panicked and jumped into the river, he added.

The stranded passengers of Karnaphuli-3 were being taken to Dhaka through Karnaphuli-4 launch.

On information, our investigation team along with the fire service rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control, he added.

However, the reason behind the fire could not be known immediately.

The injured were treated locally.

Meanwhile, senior police officers of Naval Police Chandpur region visited the spot soon after the incident, added the officer.