One dead as launches collide at Sadarghat during Eid travel

A collision between two launches at Sadarghat Launch Terminal in Dhaka today (18 March) left one person dead and another injured, while several others remain missing.

Shah Md Faisal Ahmed, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kotwali Police Station, told The Business Standard that a 22-year-old man, Sohel, was killed in the incident.

His body has been taken to the morgue of Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital (Mitford), the police official said.

The injured was identified as Ruba, 25.

Sohag Rana, OC of Sadarghat River Police, confirmed to TBS that the injured had been admitted to the same hospital.

According to OC Sohag, the launch Asha Jaoa-5 was docked near pontoon 14, and passengers were being transferred to it via a trawler when another launch, MV Zakir Samrat-3, collided with it while reversing.

Two passengers standing at the side of the launch fell into the water, while two others were crushed in the collision.

While the injured have been hospitalised, the two who fell into the water remain missing.

The fire service is currently conducting rescue operations, the OC said.