A total of 41 people had died in the deadly fire that broke out on a passenger launch on the Sugandha River in Jhalakathi, Senior Secretary of Health Service Division Lokman Hossain Miah said on Saturday.
The health secretary said this while talking to media after visiting the victims who are undergoing treatment at the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH).
Of them, 21 of the injured were sent to Dhaka and admitted to the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, he said. 4 of them were sent home, and 15 others are still receiving treatment.
One of the victims, who were being treated there perished, one was referred to DMCH, and two others were moved to the ICU.
"Meanwhile, 32 of the injured are being treated in Barishal. A 7-member physician board was sent there. They're giving treatment there and we are monitoring," the health official added.
The blaze broke out around 3am on Avijan-10, which was carrying around 800 passengers, in the middle of the River Sugandha off the coast of Jhalakathi district's Sadar upazila.
A number of survivors claimed to have heard an explosion, then saw fire in the vessel’s engine room or canteen.
Within five to 10 minutes, the flames engulfed the vessel.
The Ministry of Shipping on Friday formed a seven-member committee to probe the fire incident. The government also announced Tk 1.5 lakh as compensation for each of the victims’ families.
Besides, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) also formed a six-member probe body over the incident.
In condolence messages, the president, prime minister and the state minister prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.
They sought speedy recovery of the people who have sustained injuries.
