Death toll rises to 39

At least 39 people, including seven children and 15 female, drowned as a launch capsized in the river Padma in Manikganj this morning.

The vessel, carrying over 200 passengers aboard, sank after being hit by a cargo trawler around 11:45am.

Police said divers so far recovered 38 bodies while a baby died right after her rescue.

The death toll has risen to 39, Rakibuzzaman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Shibaloy Police Station, told our Manikganj correspondent around 9:00pm.

The rescue operation was going on for around 70 missing people, the official said.

Meanwhile, 17 bodies have been handed over to their families.

Most of the victims hailed from Faridpur and Rajbari districts.  

A six-month-old girl was rescued from the river but she was declared dead at a local hospital, the OC said.

The launch, ML Mostafa, sank in the river after the cargo vessel, Nargis-1, hit it around 11:45am, said Harun or Rashid, assistant superintendent of police (Manikganj-Shibaloy circle).

Police seized Nargis-1 and arrested its master Iqbal and his assistant Shahidul.

Soon after the accident, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation and naval police jointly started a salvage operation.

Later, divers of local Fire Service and Civil Defence joined the rescue operation. Around 100 passengers have so far been rescued.

“We are continuing our search for the missing passengers,” OC Rakibuzzaman told The Daily Star.

Rescue vessel Hamza started its journey from Mawa towards the accident site to salvage the sunken vessel, said control room set up on the bank of the river.

ML Mostafa was going to Daulatdia from Paturia while Nargis-1 was heading for Baghabari in Sirajganj.

Soon after the accident, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation and naval police jointly started a salvage operation and rescued at least 60 passengers.

Later, divers of local Fire Service and Civil Defence joined the rescue operation.

“We are continuing our search for the missing passengers,” OC Rakibuzzaman told The Daily Star.

Rescue vessel Hamza started its journey from Mawa towards the accident site to salvage the sunken vessel, said control room set up on the bank of the river.

ML Mostafa was going to Daulatdia from Paturia while Nargis-1 was heading for Baghabari in Sirajganj.