Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, the state minister for shipping, on Wednesday, said the ferry, Rajanigandha, capsized in the Padma River near Paturia ferry terminal in Manikganj after being hit by a bulkhead.
“Primarily, it is known that the ferry was anchored near the ghat and a bulkhead hit the ferry,” he said while talking to reporters at the secretariat.
The actual reason could be known after getting the probe report, he said.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) said that the ferry capsized after being hit by a bulkhead.
Meanwhile, Nazmul Hasan, driver of a truck on board the ferry, who was rescued after the incident, told reporters, “A bulkhead did not hit it. The ferry slowly sank as water breached the bottom.”
Two passengers rescued from the ferry also provided similar information.
A five-member investigation committee has been formed to investigate the incident.
Mohammad Salam Hossain, manager of the commercial branch of the BIWTC Aricha office, confirmed the matter.
“The real cause of the incident will be known when the investigation committee report comes,” he added.
Manikganj District Commissioner Rehena Akter and other administrative officials visited the scene.
The ferry on the Daulatdia-Paturia route capsized in the middle of the Padma River in Paturia of Manikganj district at around 8:30am on Wednesday.
A man identified as Humayun Kabir, 39, second master of the ferry, went missing as the ferry capsized near No 5 ghat in Paturia with nine trucks and covered vans on board.
Manikganj Fire Service Deputy Director Md Abdul Hamid Mia said, “So far, our workers have rescued 20 people alive. 10 divers and 31 workers of Fire Service are continuing the rescue operation. The rescue ship ‘Nirvor’ has been dispatched to the scene from Narayanganj.”
During the press briefing, State Minister Khalid Mahmud said, “Rajanigandha is a utility ferry and there were a small number of vehicles on it. When vehicles started to board it, the authorities usually maintain balance and whether the authorities followed it properly at that time will be known later.”
Quoting the ferry authorities he further said that the ferry was anchored due to dense fog and when they started their journey around 1:30am from Daulatpur ghat the sky was clear but when they reached near Paturia they experienced poor visibility due to dense fog.
A secretary-level officer is on the spot and he will take the necessary steps, Khalid added.
Mentioning that bulkhead is needed for transporting goods, the minister said, “The ministry is looking at how to modernise those and register those and the Department of Shipping (DoS) is working on it.”
The search continues for the missing ferry driver, Humayun Kabir, with rescue teams working tirelessly against the clock in the hope of a safe recovery.
