Dhaka – The sunken launch, ‘ML Oishi’, was salvaged this (Thursday) morning, nearly 21 hours after it capsized in the Sandhya River in Banaripara upazila of Barisal district on Wednesday morning, UNB news agency reported.Divers recovered four more bodies, all children, from the pulled out launch, raising the death toll from the incident to 18; while 13 of the victims are still missing.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) rescue vessel ‘Nirvik’ salvaged the sunken launch at about 8.45am which was located some 60 feet beneath the water.
Earlier, the Wazirpur-bound launch with 50-60 passengers on board sank in the river in Banaripara upazila as a heavy chunk of mud from the erosion site on the riverbank fell on the vessel just after it reached Dasherhat Launch Terminal around 11:15 am on Wednesday.
Divers retrieved 13 bodies from the river while another victim died at a hospital.
The deceased were identified as Abdur Razzak, 75, a retired army man, Rabeya Begum, 35, Mozammel Mollah, 62, Rehana Begum, 35, Sukhdeb Mallik, 35, Milon Gharami, 32, Sagar Mir, 15, Joynal Hawladar, 55, Firoza Begum, 55, Shanta, 7, daughter of Siddiqur Rahman, Hira Begum and Monwara Begum, 45, Kohinoor Begum, 40, wife of Majibor Rahman, and Saleha Begum, 60, — all hailing from Wazirpur and Banaripara upazilas in the district.
Of them, Saleha Begum who was rescued from the river died at Banaripara upazila health complex.
Deputy Commissioner of the district Dr Gazi Saifuzzaman visited the spot and announced to provide Tk 10,000 to the families of each of the deceased.
Meanwhile, a nine-member committee, headed by Barisal Additional District Magistrate Zakir Hossain, was formed to investigate the incident.
