Sadarghat accident: Two probe bodies formed, permits of two launches cancelled

Two committees have been formed to investigate the Sadarghat accident that left one person dead, one critically injured, and at least one missing.

State Minister for Shipping Rajib Ahsan said the committees have been asked to submit their reports within three working days. He shared the information with reporters after visiting the spot last night.

The route permits of the two launches involved in the incident have also been cancelled, he said.

One person was killed and another critically injured after a launch rammed into a group of passengers who were waiting to board their launch from a dinghy boat off the Sadarghat Launch Terminal yesterday afternoon.

Country boats are often used to ferry passengers to launches not berthed at the Sadarghat terminal pier.

A short video clip of the incident shows a dinghy stopping beside a launch, only to be rammed by another launch while passengers were still scrambling to get off.

The deceased was identified as Sohel Fakir. His father, Miraj Hossain, 52, has been missing since the incident. Sohel’s wife, Rubi, is undergoing treatment at a hospital with serious injuries.

One of the probe bodies will be led by Abu Islam, additional secretary of the shipping ministry, while the other will be headed by Saiful Islam, director (administration) of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA).

“We are very serious about this. Anyone found responsible will face the highest legal action,” the state minister said.

He added that compensation will be provided to the victim’s family, while treatment for the injured is being arranged on a priority basis.

He also said the injured woman is pregnant.

“We spoke to the doctors. The mother is stable and her unborn child is also doing fine,” he said.