3 dead after waterbus capsizes in Buriganga

At least three people died after a passenger-carrying waterbus capsized near the Telghat area of Keraniganj in the Buriganga River on Sunday night.

Eight people were rescued while 25 more remained missing in the incident that happened at around 8:30pm. Two of the deceased were identified as Alif, 14, and Fahim, 25.

Bodies of the deceased were taken to the Sir Salimullah Medical College (SSMC) in Dhaka.

According to survivors of the incident, the waterbus from Lalkuthi ghat was headeding to Telghat of South Keraniganj. A sand-laden bulkhead vessel named MV Arabi hit the waterbus mid-river, making it capsize.

On information, the Fire Service and Civil Defence started rescue operations at around 9pm. Coast Guard divers also joined the FSCD operation.

Divers of the FSCD were able to pinpoint the waterbus' location last night, however, it could not be recovered. The vessel had small windows, and for this, divers were unable to get inside to rescue people. Strong current also hampered their rescue work.

To facilitate uninterrupted rescue work, law enforcement agency members removed several vessels from Sadarghat Terminal.

Imran Hossain, a survivor, said there were 55-60 passengers on the waterbus. He was sitting on the roof and started to swim away when the vessel capsized.

"Most of the passengers who were inside the waterbus drowned," he said.

FSCD Media Official Anwarul Islam Dolon said two firefighting units from Sadarghat Fire Station and one from Siddikbazar were carrying out rescue operations at the site.

Sadarghat River Police SI Rezaul Islam said, "We could not be certain how many passengers of the waterbus remain missing. But according to surviving passengers, the number may be more than 50."

/KN/MHK/