Bhola, Dec 3 (bdnews24.com) – Rescue operations of the Bhola launch tragedy were called off on Thursday, with the death toll reaching 85.
The search for bodies was halted on Wednesday night, though officials say passengers are still missing after the MV Coco-4 partially capsized in the Tentulia river at Lalmohon on Nov 27.
Deputy commissioner Mohammad Mesbahul Islam quoted shipping minister Shahjahan Khan as saying that each of the bereaved families will receive Tk 30,000 from the government.
The exact number of still-missing passengers is yet to be announced by officials.
The salvage operation was also announced 'abandoned' on Thursday. Salvage ships MV Rustom and MV Hamza left the scene at around 2pm.
MV Coco-4 sank up to its second deck after the two salvage vessels let loose their cables.
bdnews24.com/corr/zr/rah/1750h
