Two die as speedboat crashes into freight vessel in Munshiganj

Two people have been killed and another person injured after a collision between a speedboat and a freight vessel on the Meghna River in Munshiganj’s Gajaria.

The accident occurred around 9:30pm on Friday near Kalipura Dock, according to Anowar Alam Azad, chief of Gajaria Police Station.

One of the dead has been identified as Wadud, who hailed from South Jamalpur village in Gajaria’s Guagachia union. The other has been identified as Babul, but police have yet to confirm his address.

The injured man has been identified as Halim, who also hailed from South Jamalpur.

All three were identified using single names.

Anowar said that a speeding speedboat rammed the freight vessel, which had been anchored in the river. Locals rescued the victims and brought them to the Gajaria Upazila Health Complex, where the doctor declared two dead. The third victim, who had critical injuries, was admitted to the Bhaberchar Health Complex.

 “We have heard that more people have gone missing or have been found dead since the incident, but we have yet to confirm it,” Anowar said.

 “We have heard that among the victims are people who were illegally mining sand from the Meghna and people connected to pirates on the river route. Those involved have since fled.”

The bodies of the dead are currently in police custody, he added.