Plying of all water vessels including launch and speedboats was suspended on Shimulia-Kathalbari route following an accident and due to strong currents in the Padma river. 

The authorities of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) suspended the services around 10:00am to avert any further untoward incident, our Munshiganj correspondent reports quoting Khondakar Shah Khaled Neowaj, assistant general manager (AGM) of BIWTC and port officer of Aricha, told The Daily Star.

However, a few ferry services and routes are still active, the AGM added.

Earlier, a Kathalbari-bound speedboat carrying 20 passengers overturned at the Louhojong turning point area around 9:00am, leaving five of them hurt, said Liakat Ali, officer in-charge of Louhojong Police Station.

The injured were taken to a local hospital for treatment, the OC added.

A total of 300 vehicles have been stranded on both sides of the ferry ghat.