Rescue operation resumes in Buriganga launch capsize

Rescue operation has resumed after recovery of 32 bodies following a launch capsize in the Buriganga river near Shyambazar on Monday.

Divers of the Bangladesh Navy started the rescue operation again at 10:00am with 10 air bags in the river, said AKM Arif Uddin, joint director of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA).

Meanwhile, the movement of heavy vehicles on Postagala China-Bangladesh Friendship Bridge remained restricted since Monday evening as it was damaged after being hit by a salvage vessel in the morning, he added.

He also said that a guarder of the bridge was displaced that caused the problem.

Earlier on Monday night, divers rescued Sumon Bepari, 55, who survived in the water for nearly 13 hours after the launch-capsize incident.

“Sumon, of Abdullapur area under Tongibari thana in Munshiganj, was rescued at around 10:30pm from the Buriganga River,” said Syed Kamrul Hasan, duty officer of the control room at Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters.

He was immediately taken to Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital, he added.

Sadarghat River Police filed a case against seven people, owner, master and the Sareng of Moyur-2 launch with Dhaka Dakkhin Keraniganj police station.

The Dhaka-bound MV Morning Bird launch from Munshiganj sank at 9:33am in the river after being hit by another launch Mayur-2 near Shyambazar in Old Dhaka.

The death toll climbed to 32 in the tragic incident.