Three of a family killed in Meghna launch collision

Three members of a family were killed and four others injured in a collision between two launches in the Meghna River under the district early yesterday.

The deceased are Tasnima Begum, 45, her daughter Jannat, 7, and son Hiron, 22. Tasnima and Jannat died on the spot while Hiron died on the way to Dhaka.

They hailed from Bainsamerto village under Baliatali union of Barguna Sadar upazila and were going to their village home from Dhaka aboard the 'MV Samrat-3'.

The injured were immediately sent to Chandpur launch terminal. Of them, Nasrin, who sustained serious injuries in the accident, was admitted to National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, Dhaka, Md Jakir Hossain, an employee of 'MV Samrat-3'said, adding that the remaining three were given first aid at the terminal.

The incident occurred around 1:00am when the Patuakhali-bound launch 'MV Jahid-4' hit Barguna-bound 'MV Samrat-3'in Mirerchar area of the river, Jakir said.

Abul Bashar Majumder, deputy director (river safety) of BIWTA in Barisal, said a committee would be formed soon to probe the incident.