At least 11 people, including three women and one child drowned as a passenger launch capsized with more than 200 passengers on board during a heavy monsoon storm on the Meghna river near Munshiganj on Thursday afternoon.
Two of the victims were identified as Jamal Sikder and Tumpa Begum.
Witnesses said the Sariatpur-bound passenger launch from Dhaka, MV Miraj, capsized in Meghna river due to heavy storm in the afternoon.
File photo
The launch was carrying more than 200-250 passengers, said coast guard officials.
Gazaria police station Sub-Inspector Moqbul Hossain said: “It capsized at Doulatpur estuary. We have learned about the incident around 3pm and a team of police left for the spot immediately after getting the information.”
Some 40-45 people managed to swim ashore, said locals.
Detailed information in this regard could be known later, said police. According to our correspondent, a rescue ship, the Pratyaya, has reached the spot at 6:30pm and is set to start rescue operation.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
