The government has suspended the route permits of two vessels and set up separate investigation committees following a fatal launch collision at Sadarghat that left one person dead and two others missing amid the pre-Eid rush.
The incident occurred around 5pm on Wednesday near Pontoon No. 14, when the Dhaka–Daulatdia–Jashorehat route launch MV Zakir Smart-3 struck the Dhaka–Bhola route launch Asa Jaowa-5 from behind as passengers were boarding vessels on the Dhaka–Ilisha (Bhola) route.
According to police and Fire Service officials, commuters arriving from Keraniganj were attempting to board the launch when the collision took place. The Asa Jaowa-5 reportedly departed the terminal shortly after the impact.
At least two people sustained injuries in the accident.
A woman rescued from the scene was admitted to Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital.
Authorities confirmed that two people remain missing, and search operations are ongoing.
State Minister for Shipping Mohammad Rajib Ahsan visited the site later that evening and vowed that those responsible would face “exemplary” punishment.
Both the Ministry of Shipping and the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) have established separate probe committees, with each committee instructed to submit a report within three working days.
The Ministry’s six-member committee will investigate the cause of the collision and identify those responsible.
The committee is chaired by Md Abul Islam, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping. Its members include Abdullah Al-Mamun, Police Superintendent of Dhaka Regional Naval Police; SM Shahed Reza, Director (Procurement & Maintenance) of BIWTA; Mohammad Ehtechsanul Haque Fakir, Engineer and Ship Surveyor (Sadarghat) of the Department of Shipping; AKM Shamsuzzoha, Assistant Director (Operations) of Fire Service & Civil Defence; and Md Mehedi Hasan, Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, serving as Member Secretary.
The committee has been tasked with determining the causes of the accident, identifying accountable parties, and recommending measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Meanwhile, the Ministry has instructed all relevant agencies to provide immediate assistance to victims. Expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy, officials offered prayers for the deceased and extended condolences to the bereaved families, while ensuring advanced medical care for the injured.
The minister added that the injured belong to the same family from Mehendiganj, Barisal, including a pregnant woman, and assured that they would receive proper medical treatment and government support.
