In Rangunia, a tourist-carrying steamer collided with a submerged sand-dredger in the Karnaphuli River and sank, leaving more than a hundred passengers in the river. However, due to the swift rescue efforts of locals, everyone was saved.
The accident occurred on Saturday morning (January 10) in the Golam Bepari Hat area of Betagi union in the upazila.
Eyewitnesses said that when the steamer heading towards Kaptai, which had departed from the Charpatharghata Bridge Ghat in Karnaphuli upazila, reached the Golam Bepari Hat area, it collided with a sand-dredger that was already submerged in the river.
After the collision, the steamer quickly began to sink. As a result, the passengers jumped into the river. Upon hearing the news, locals from the surrounding areas took boats and rescued the passengers, bringing them ashore.
Md Mahiuddin, a local, said, “There was no danger signal or warning sign on the submerged dredger. Previously, multiple watercraft had collided with the same dredger. After the rescue, a red flag was hoisted on the submerged dredger.”
Locals allege that several other dredgers belonging to those involved in sand extraction in the Betagi area are also submerged in the Karnaphuli River. These sunken dredgers pose a risk to watercraft navigation, with locals demanding their swift removal.
Another local, Md Minar, said that the rescued passengers have been sent to their destination in two buses.
It is known that over a hundred members and well-wishers of a social organisation named “Protyasha” from Karnaphuli upazila were going to Kaptai by steamer for an annual picnic.
Member of the organisation, Nurul Islam, said that although everyone is safe, many people’s mobile phones and food have been ruined. The picnic programme was suspended after the accident.
OC of Rangunia Model Police Station, Md Arman Hossain, said that no one was injured in the incident. With the help of locals, it was possible to rescue everyone safely.
