Golam Kibria, 65, master of vessel MV Al Bakera, had told his family that he would return home soon with his daughter's wedding shopping after unloading the ship's cargo.

His elder daughter Habiba Akhter's wedding has been scheduled for January 10.

However, the family's hopes were dashed after the news of Kibria's death reached them.

Kibria and his nephew Sabuj Sheikh, 26, were among the vessel's seven crew who were murdered on the Meghna river in Chandpur on Monday.

Sabuj had joined the vessel as a lascar just 15 days back.

Their tragic deaths have left the family members shell shocked.

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7 stabbed to death aboard cargo vessel

Visiting Golam Kibria's house in Faridpur Sadar upazila yesterday noon, this correspondent found that the grief-stricken family members of the two victims had gathered there.

The bodies were expected to reach the family yesterday evening after autopsy at Chandpur 250-bed General Hospital.

"Golam Kibria had been working as a ship's master for last 40 years. He was considering quitting his job as he got older, and planned to train Sabuj for the job. For this, he took Sabuj on board the ship as a lascar from Chattogram port on December 9. His elder daughter's wedding ceremony was fixed for January 10. The kabin was already completed two months ago," said Md Abul Hossain, a neighbour.

Md Nurul Islam, a member of Gerda union parishad said Golam Kibria used to return home every two or three months and stayed a few days before leaving for his job again.

Razia Begum, mother of slain Sabuj and sister of Golam Kibria, was lamenting over the loss of her son.

"My Sabuj was unemployed, but at least he was in front of my eyes. Why did I let him go?" she wailed.

"My brother had told me he would train my son to work and steer the ship. My son had to die on board the ship after just 15 days. Where did my ruin come from?" she continued.

"How am I going to raise our son now? Who will now marry our daughter?," lamented Kibria's wife Wahida Begum, 38.

Golam Kibria's mother Achia Begum, 78, and Sabuj's elder brother Manjur Sheikh, 44, demanded proper investigation to nab the culprits and ensure justice.

Meanwhile, the grief from the Chandpur ship tragedy reverberated beyond Faridpur, devastating two families in Narail. Among the seven crew members brutally killed on the anchored ship MV Al Bakera in Haimchar, Chandpur, Salahuddin Molla and Aminul Munshi, both from Lohagara upazila in Narail, were also victims of the violence.

Salahuddin, 42, the ship's engine driver from Egaronoli village, had been working on ships for 24 years, with the last four years spent on the Al Bakera. He had returned to work only on December 14 after spending a few days with his family. "He was my only child," cried Fatema Begum, his elderly mother. Salahuddin leaves behind his wife, Nargis Begum, and three children. Sajib Molla, his youngest child at 18, lamented, "My father was the sole earner for our family of six. I have no idea how we will survive now."

Nargis tearfully recounted her last video call with Salahuddin on Sunday evening. "Later that night, he tried to call again, but I missed it. The next morning, we heard the news. It feels like the sky has fallen on us."

A similar scene of heartbreak unfolded at Pankhar Char village, where the family of Aminul Munshi mourned their loss. Aminul, a 50-year-old helmsman with 23 years of experience, had worked on the Al Bakera for seven years. He leaves behind his wife, Popi Akter, and two young children -- 2-year-old Hasain Munshi and 4.5-year-old Husain Munshi. Aminul's mother, Jamela Begum, clutched her grandchildren as she wailed, "What do I tell these little boys?"