The two men who went missing after the bulkhead Kashfa Sneha sank following a collision with the passenger launch Sundarban-16 have been recovered, police said on Friday evening.
The deceased were identified as Zahurul Islam Shakil, son of Amir Howlader of Chargarbadi, Dumki Upazila, Patuakhali, and Md Hasan of Rajapur, Jhalakathi. Both were crew members of the soil-laden bulkhead.
Pagla River Police Officer-in-Charge Akibul Islam, confirmed the recovery and said legal action would follow. Sadar UNO SM Foyez Uddin added that the launch Sundarban-16 has been detained, and an eight-member investigation committee has been formed to submit a report within seven working days.
According to authorities, the bulkhead had been anchored near the ghat in front of Afsar Filling Station on the Buriganga River in Dharmganj, Fatullah upazila when the Dhaka-bound launch struck it from behind around 7am. Three workers on top of the bulkhead swam to safety, but the two sleeping inside the cabin went missing.
Rescue teams from the river police, Coast Guard, Fire Service, and BIWTA retrieved the bodies from the engine room. BIWTA Assistant Director Kamrul Hasan said the engine room had been crushed, making the operation difficult. A floating excavator was used to access the space. Locals cited dense fog as a likely factor in the accident.
