A police speedboat sank after colliding with the passenger launch Karnaphuli-12 near Mangalsikdar Ghat on the Meghna River in Lalmohan Upazila Wednesday night, leaving one police constable missing and five others injured.
The missing officer has been identified as Md Fakhrul, a resident of Bakerganj Thana, Barisal, attached to the Lalmohan Police Investigation Centre.
The incident occurred around 8pm while the launch, carrying Eid-bound passengers from Dhaka to Betua Ghat in Charfassion Upazila, was unloading.
At the same time, police and Fisheries Department personnel were conducting a joint operation to enforce a two-month fishing ban on the Meghna Tetulia River, aimed at boosting hilsa production.
Eyewitnesses and officials reported that the speedboat malfunctioned and began drifting downstream. It collided with the launch and became entangled in its propeller, causing it to capsize.
Most passengers and personnel, including fisheries staff, managed to swim to safety. Injured in the accident were fisheries office assistant Abbas Uddin, field assistant Monowar Hossain, Saiful Islam Sohag, and three police constables.
Lalmohan Police OC Md Oliul Islam confirmed that a rescue operation is ongoing to locate the missing constable. “We are focusing all efforts on finding the officer. Appropriate legal actions will follow once the investigation is complete,” he said.
Authorities continue searching the river as Eid preparations continue across the region.
