Two missing as freight vessel hit by launch capsizes in Narayanganj

A sand-laden freight vessel has capsized in the Buriganga River in Narayanganj’s Fatullah after it was hit by a launch carrying passengers.

At least two workers went missing in the incident that occurred in the Dharmaganj area around 6:15 am on Friday, according to Pagla River Police Outpost Inspector Akibul Islam.

The missing workers have been identified as Jahurul Islam, 25, hailing from Patuakhali and Md Hasan, 20, from Jhalakathi’s Rajapur.

Members of the Coast Guard, Fire Service and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) are conducting a search and rescue operation, BIWTA Assistant Director Kamrul Hasan said.

Inspector Akibul said, “[The cargo vessel] MV Kashfa Sneha was anchored in the river when the Dhaka-bound Sundarban-16 launch hit it and it capsized.”

He said that three workers of the freight vessel managed to swim ashore, but two went missing.

The officer believes the accident was caused by the dense fog, which reduced visibility in the morning.

On Dec 14, another sand-laden freight vessel capsized at Fatullah Launch Terminal area in a head-on collision with a launch.

However, five workers of that vessel swam ashore and no casualties were reported.