Overcrowded launch escapes disaster

Panic-stricken passengers of Avijatri-2 asked the staff to steer the launch towards the bank of the river Meghna immediately when they found that water was leaking into the hull.

They also vandalised the double-decker launch and assaulted the staff as they refused to comply.

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In the face of agitation, the staff members finally anchored the launch at Akonder Hat stop where many passengers got off.

The Dhaka-bound Avijatri-2 were carrying more than 1,000 passengers, double of its capacity, when it left Muladi station at 7.00pm on Friday.

On the way, the launch picked up about 300 more passengers from two stops -- Khejurtala and Akonder Hat. And many of them were forced to sit in the hull.

When the launch reached mid-river, the passengers found that water was leaking into the hull and soaking into their belongings.

After most of the passengers got off the launch at Akonder Hat stop, the vessel resumed its journey towards Dhaka with about 500 passengers abroad at 2.00am and reached Dhaka safely on Saturday afternoon.

Just four days ago, two launches collided head-on on the river Meghna, leaving 12 people dead and 22 missing.