United News of Bangladesh

At least 10 people including women and children were injured as a Dhaka-bound launch from Bhola, the Karnafuli-3, caught fire in the middle of the Meghna river in Majherchar area in Chandpur's Haimchar on Saturday (April 20, 2024). Md Shahadat Hossain, deputy director of Chandpur BIWTA, said the fire broke out around 11:30am due to a technical glitch. At the time, 10 people were injured in the launch fire incident as they panicked and jumped into the river, he added. The stranded passengers of Karnaphuli-3 were being taken to Dhaka through Karnaphuli-4 launch. Read more: Banani slum fire under control On information, our investigation team along with the fire service rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control, he added. However, the reason behind the fire could not be known immediately. The injured were treated locally. Meanwhile, senior police officers of Naval Police Chandpur region visited the spot soon after the incident, added the officer. Read more: TK Group’s super board manufacturing factory catches fire in Munshiganj

A launch carrying around 50 passengers sank in the Shitalakkhya River in Narayanganj on Sunday. Narayanaganj Superintendent of Police (SP) Jayedul Alam said an oil-laden tanker hit Munshiganj-bound launch ML Rabit Al Hasan around 6pm. The launch capsized soon after the collision. Around 20 passengers managed to swim ashore while the rest are still unaccounted for, he said. Also read: Bay of Bengal trawler capsize: 4 bodies recovered