Narayanganj launch capsize death toll hits 29, seven missing

Rescuers have retrieved 24 more bodies from a sunken launch on the Shitalakkhya river in Narayanganj, taking the death toll to 29.

The bodies of more victims were found after the divers recovered the sunken launch around 12:45 pm on Monday, said Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nahida Barik.

After the discovery of more bodies, the number of missing people stands at seven, UNO Nahida said.

Bodies recovered from sunken launch Sabit Al Asad lie on the bank of the river Shitalakkhya in Narayanganj on Monday, Apr 5, 2021.

A search operation continued for the missing people while the channel was opened to traffic after the recovery of the launch.

Some victims were able to swim back ashore, said Abdullah Al Arefin, a deputy assistant director at the Fire Service and Civil Defence.

The district administration and BIWTA formed two committees to investigate the accident.

Packed beyond its capacity, the launch Sabit Al Asad from Munshiganj capsized near Madanganj Ghat on Sunday afternoon after being hit by a cargo vessel, SKL-3. Five bodies were found on Sunday night.

Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Mustain Billah said the River Police were ordered to find out the cargo vessel responsible for the accident.

UNO Nahida said the dead included 14 women, nine men and six children.

The district administration provided the families of the victims Tk 25,000 each for the burial.

The authorities handed over the bodies of the victims of the launch capsize to their families.