57 die in 54 waterway accidents in 6 months

At least 57 people have died, 50 were injured and 34 went missing in 54 waterway accidents in the last six months.

Besides, there are no women and children in the casualty list, according to a survey and observation of the Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum (SCRF) released today.

According to the report, no major launch accidents and loss of lives occurred during this period.

The vessels involved in the accident include passenger trawlers, speedboats, oil tankers, bulkhead (sand carriers), cargo and lighter vessels.

Most of these trawlers and sand barges do not have approved design, annual fitness certificate (survey) and registration.

According to the SCRF, this report has been prepared through regular monitoring of waterway accidents and based on information published in 12 Bangla national dailies, 5 English national dailies, 9 online news portals and news agencies and 6 regional dailies.

No survivors were found two weeks after such accidents. With the missing ones, the death toll will be 91 in six months, it said.

SCRF identified 13 causes of accidents.

They include: illegal boat movement across the country, unskilled and unlicensed masters and drivers, carrying passengers and goods beyond capacity, noncompliance of laws and regulations, operation of sand carriers at night in violation of orders of the Ministry of Shipping, lack of monitoring by BIWTA, Department of Shipping and River Police, shortage of Mobile Courts, navigability crisis on several waterways, extortion in various places and failure to properly punish lawbreakers and those responsible for accidents.