In the wake of the Sadarghat launch accident claiming five lives, including three from a single family, a Dhaka Court has ordered a three-day remand for five individuals implicated in the case.
The remanded suspects include MV Farhan-6’s drivers Md Abdur Rauf Hawlader and Md Selim Hawlader, its manager Md Faruk Khan, as well as MV Tasrif-4’s drivers Md Mizanur Rahman and Md Moniruzzaman.
The case, filed by Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Joint Director Ismail Hossain, underscores the legal response to the tragic incident that occurred on Thursday, prompting swift action by the River Police leading to the suspects’ arrest.
As a precautionary measure, the authorities suspended the route permits and schedules of MV Farhan-6 and MV Tasrif-4 launches following the accident, highlighting the seriousness of ensuring public safety in waterway transport.
Moreover, in a gesture of support for the bereaved families, the government has provided Tk25,000 in assistance to the nominees of each deceased for funeral expenses.
The fatal incident unfolded when the wire rope of the launch broke, resulting in casualties, including a child and a woman, with five others sustaining injuries. Investigations by the Fire Service and River Police reveal that the tragedy occurred when the wire rope of MV Tasrif-4 snapped and struck passengers as MV Farhan-6 attempted to anchor between the two launches, shedding light on the sequence of events leading to the unfortunate mishap.
