14 held over Shitalakshya launch capsize

Fourteen individuals including the driver of the cargo ship that hit a launch in Shitalakshya river on 4 April, killing its 34 passengers have been detained.

The Coast Guard seized the cargo ship SKL-3 anchored at Gazaria upazila in Munshiganj around 12:30 pm on Thursday.

Rakibul Islam, director (safety) of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BITWA), confirmed the information to The Business Standard. 

He said the handover procedure of the ship to police was underway after the coast guard seized it conducting a drive.

Asked about the owner of the cargo ship, Rakibul said, "We are not sure about the owner yet but everything will be cleared up after the police investigation is over."

Reportedly, the cargo ship SKL-3 promptly left the accident spot and anchored near Gazaria coastguard station after revamping the color of the ship.

Earlier, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) had filed a case against the cargo ship driver and others involved in the accident. 

Babulal Vaidya, acting deputy director (maritime security and traffic management) of the BIWTA Narayanganj office, filed the case with the Narayanganj Port Police Station at around 11 pm on Tuesday (6 April).

On 4 April (Sunday), the Munshiganj-bound launch ML Sabit Al Hasan, carrying around 50 passengers, capsized after being hit by an oil-laden tanker around 6 pm in Narayanganj's Madanganj Ghat area.

The launch was salvaged on the following day and thirty-four bodies have been recovered by far.