The burnt passenger launch is seen anchored on the bank of Sugandha River which caught on a fire that killed several dozens in Jhalalathi, Bangladesh, December 24, 2021. Photo: Reuters
At least 41 people were charred to death and 70 others injured in a massive fire that engulfed a motor-launch carrying some 800 passengers from Dhaka to Barguna in the early hours of Friday.
The blaze began on MV Avijan-10 in the midstream of the river Sugandha off the coast of Jhalakati district's Sadar upazila, at about 3:00am. Within five to 10 minutes, the flames engulfed the vessel.
"We were alerted around 3.30am," Fazlul Huque of Fire Service and Civil Defence in Barishal, said. However, the first firefighting vessels took some time to reach the ill-fated launch due to dense fog in the area.
"Thirty-seven bodies have been recovered and 72 people rescued from the ill-fated launch," Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Jhalakathi Moinul Huque said.
Rescue workers bring bodies on a boat, who died after a fire broke out in a passenger launch on Sugandha River in Jhalalathi, Bangladesh, December 24, 2021. Photo: Reuters
Of the 37 bodies, four were identified and the remaining 33 bodies were sent to Jhalakathi Sadar Hospital morgue, said the ASP.
Of the 72 injured, 66 have been admitted to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College and Hospital (SBMCH) in Barishal with serious burns. The others are being treated at Jhalakathi Sadar Hospital.
"Of the 66, with up to 50% burns, 18 are women," said Dr Moniruzzaman, assistant director at the SBMCH. "Three women and four men with life-threatening burns have been referred to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital as we've no dedicated burn unit."
Two of the 10 injured succumbed to burn injuries on the way to Sheikh Hasina Burn Institute at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital. Doctors at the Sheikh Hasina Burn Institute said the condition of rest of the injured are not good because major portion of the wind pipes of most of them were have been burnt.
Meanwhile, the ill-fated vessel has been brought to the bank of the river.
"In fact, Jhalokathi's local firefighters initially tried to douse the flames and later the Barishal fire service joined them," said Kamal Uddin, Deputy Director (Barishal division) of Fire Service and Civil Defence.
Eventually, 5 firefighters took nearly two hours to bring the blaze under control at 5.20am. "The fire was completely doused around 11.30am," said Kamal.
As it was the weekend eve (Thursday), Kamal said, the launch was carrying over 800 passengers. "Most of them jumped off the vessel and swam to the shore after the fire had broken out on board."
The Shipping Ministry and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority have formed two committees to probe the fire. The ministry panel has been asked to submit its report within three days.
