Shipping Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain has announced immediate financial assistance of Tk150,000 for each family of those killed in the launch accident on the Meghna River in Chandpur.
An additional Tk50,000 is being provided to each injured person for medical treatment. He also said the responsible launch owner would compensate the affected families.
After receiving news of the accident, the shipping adviser visited the damaged launch MV Zakir Samrat-3 at Sadarghat in the capital on Friday, where he made the announcement.
He said an eight-member investigation committee has already been formed by the Ministry of Shipping and has been instructed to submit its report within seven working days.
The adviser added that five staff members of the launch Adventure-9 have already been taken into police custody. Strict legal action will be taken against those found responsible based on the investigation committee’s findings.
He also directed that launch operations be suspended during dense fog and urged all concerned to act more responsibly.
According to officials, the passenger launch Adventure-9 departed Dhaka for Jhalakathi, while the Dhaka-bound passenger launch MV Zakir Samrat-3 was travelling from Ghosher Hat. A
At around 2:30am on Friday, the two launches collided in the Meghna River area under Haimchar upazila of Chandpur district due to dense fog.
The collision damaged MV Zakir Samrat-3, killing four passengers and injuring several others.
