The launch capsized in Padma river near Mawa ghat in Munshiganj at 11am on Monday
The location of the sunken launch has not been spotted yet, even after almost 32 hours since the time it capsized with over 200 passengers in Padma River near Mawa ghat in Munshiganj on Monday morning.
Till filing of this report at 8:55pm, the rescuers couldn’t identify the place underwater where the launch was.
The rescuers are trying to trace the capsized launch with the help of “Eco-sounder” and “side-scan sonar”, BIWTC Director Md Hossain said.
The rescue ship Rostom reached at the spot at 9:30pm on Monday, he added.
However, on Monday, rescue operation was hampered due to strong waves in the river.
The divers’ team of Navy, fire service and coast guard are conducting the search and rescue operation, Hossain said.
Apart from the rescue operations in the Padma where the launch sank, members of the different forces including BIWTA, Coastguard, Fire Services, Navy have been continuing frantic drives also in the Meghna river in search of the missing bodies of Pinak-6 since Monday evening.
The launch capsized in Padma river near Mawa ghat in Munshiganj at 11am on Monday.
According to the government estimate, the number of missing people in the launch capsize is 127.
However, the number is more than 127 as per unofficial counts.
There is a controversy about the figure of the passengers of the sunken launch.
BIWTA Assistant Manager Abdul Alim said Pinak 6 capsized in the Padma river with 150 passengers.
However, Louhajang Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Khalequzzaman said the launch was carrying over 300 passengers.
Rafiq Mia of Faridpur, who was rescued alive, said the launch was over populated.
“Approximately 250 passengers were aboard and more than 100 passengers have been rescued alive,” he added.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
