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The Daily Star

Publication Date : 08-02-2013

A launch with around 100 passengers capsized in Meghna river in Gazaria upazila of Munshiganj (central Bangladesh) Friday morning after being hit by a sand-laden bulkhead.

The Chandpur-bound ML Saros, carrying around 100 passengers, started from Narayanganj launch terminal at 7:00am, reports quoted Badiuzzaman, president of Narayanganj launch owner association.

The launch capsized near Ismanir char in Gazaria when a sand-laden vessel hit it around 8:00am, Badiuzzaman said.

Witnesses said some of the passengers managed to swim ashore after the launch capsized.

Meanwhile, Shahabuddin Khan, superintendent of police of Munshiganj, said the exact number of missing people could not be ascertained. But the number should not exceed 30, he added.

Salvage vessel MV Rustom however started rescue operation at 11:30am, according to Md Saiful Hassan Badal, deputy commissioner of Munshiganj.

Dulal, 52, one of the victims who managed to swim ashore, said he along with his seven children were going to Matlab.

But only two — Dulal and his daughter — were able to swim ashore while his sons are still missing.

Another survivor Faisal, 25, told the correspondent that he does not know the fate of his mother Nazma Begum.