At least five people died and some 20 people remained missing as a passenger launch capsized in river Shitalakkhya on Sunday evening, authorities said.
The incident happened around 6:00 pm when the launch named Sabit Al Hasan carrying about 50 passengers capsized near the third Shitalakkhya Bridge under Narayanganj district.
Narayanganj deputy commissioner Mustain Billah confirmed the Business Post that the rescuers have found five bodies, all of them are women.
“So far we have recovered five dead bodies. All of them are women. About 20 people could swim ashore and about 20 others remained missing,” he said.
Quoting Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, Billah said the launch was carrying at least 46 passengers. It was travelling to Munshiganj district from Narayanganj, he said.
Primary investigation showed that the launch was hit by a lighter cargo before it sank off, he said.
The incident happened at a time when many people were rushing to villages ahead of a one-week lockdown.
The cabinet division on Sunday formally announced a one-week lockdown from Monday to contain a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases in the country.
