39 killed in Jhalakathi launch fire

At least 39 people were killed and several others burn injuries as a passenger launch caught fire in the Sugandha river in Jhalakathi in the early hours of Friday.

A total of 36 bodies of passengers have been recovered from the sport so far and three others injured passed away while undergoing treatment at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal hospital, police said.

Shipping Ministry, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and district administration formed three separate probe bodies to look into the incident.

State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury visited the spot and announced that BIWRA will provide Taka 1.5 lakh to each family of those who were killed in Jhalakathi launch fire as financial aid.

Besides, Jhalakathi district administration announced to provide Taka 25,000 to each family of those who were killed in the fire incident.

The state minister also visited burn injured people at Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital and enquired about their treatment.

Police and Fire Service and Civil Defense sources said the Barguna-bound launch ‘MV Ovijan 10’, with over 500 passengers onboard, started its journey from Dhaka and it caught fire around 3:00 am in the Dapdapiya area of the Sugandha river in Jhalakathi.

According to the fire service personnel, it was suspected that the fire originated from an engine room of the launch when passengers of its cabins were sleeping.

The injured passengers were rescued and sent to Jhalakathi Sadar Hospital and Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal for treatment.

District administration and police officials are assisting the fire service in conducting rescue operation. However, the death toll may rise.

ARR