Meghna ferry capsize death toll hits 54

The death toll from the Thursday’s ferry capsize in the River Meghna at Gazaria in Munshiganj climbed to 54 with the recovery of three more bodies on Saturday afternoon.

The authorities concerned had already handed over 53 bodies to the victim's families, confirmed the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) chairman Samsuddoha Khondaker at a press conference at the rescue ship Pratway in the afternoon.

Local lawmaker Mrinal Kanti Das, deputy commissioner Saidul Hasan and acting superintendent of police Zakir Hossain, among others, were present at the press conference, confirms Prothom Alo correspondent in Gazaria, Munshiganj.

Samsuddoha Khondaker said a total of 12 persons are still missing and they will continue rescue operations until rescuing the last person.

The local people, however, said more than 200 people are still missing. Several hundred people, claiming themselves as relatives of victim, waiting on the river bank to get their persons back.

Gazaria upazila nirbahi officer ATM Mahabubul Karim, however, said that the exact number of the missing people could not be known immediately, reports UNB.

The sunken launch MV Miraj-4 was salvaged and taken to the bank of the river.

Deputy Commissioner of Munshignaj Md Saiful Hasan Badal announced the ending of the launch salvage operation at a press briefing at 3:00pm.

He said the local administration will continue their rescue operation in the Meghan River and the adjoining areas until the missing people area traced.

A total of 23 bodies were pulled out from the river till this afternoon increasing the death toll to 54, said Gazaria Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) ATM Mahabubul Karim.

Of the recovered bodies, 53 were handed over to the relatives of the victims.

However, the UNO said it could not be confirmed how many people still remain missing.

Samsuddoha Khandker announced closure of the rescue operation at 9:00am.

Being angered by the news, relatives of the deceased and the missing people launched an attack on the salvage vessel Prataya.

Later, local lawmaker Mrinal Kanti Das and Deputy Commissioner Mohamamd Saiful Hasan Badal brought the situation under control assuring them of continuing the rescue operation.

The air of the accident site was heavy with the wailing of the victims’ relatives.

The Sureshwar-bound launch, MV Miraj-4, carrying over 200 passengers sank near Gazaria ferry terminal in the Meghna after it was caught by a violent storm on Thursday afternoon.

Gazaria Upazila Nirbahi Officer ATM Mahbubul Alam, said no case was filed in connection with the accident.

Earlier, locals started the rescue operation soon after the launch capsize at Daulatpur in the Meghna.

Later, divers from Fire Service, Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Coast Guard joined the rescue operation.