Two die as launch hits boat at Sadarghat
Staff Correspondent
Two people including a girl were killed and a woman went missing in river Buriganga as a passenger engine boat was sandwiched between two launches at Sadarghat Launch Terminal yesterday. The victims have been identified as Khorshed Alam, 28, son of Rajab Ali of Subadda Uttarpara, Keraniganj and Sabina, seven, of Ekuria Purbapara. Joytun Begum, 28, Sabina's mother has been missing. Two divers of the fire service and civil defence conducted search for over five hours from 11:00am yesterday but Joytun's body could not be recovered, officials said. The accident occurred as the engine boat, with nearly 30 people on board, was sandwiched between two launches-- Parabat 6 and Rajdut 1-- about 75 yards away from the shore at about 10:30 am, said Iqbal, a witness to the incident. "Suddenly, after unloading its passengers, Parabat 6 reeled back and squashed the body of the boat against Rajdut 1," Iqbal said. Habibur Rahman, Joytun's husband, however, escaped unhurt. The bodies were taken to Mitford Hospital for autopsy. A case was lodged with the Keraniganj Police Station against the owners of the two launches. Senior Station officer of Sadarghat Fire Station Nitya Gopal Das said they would not conduct further search. However, the owner of launch Parabat has assured Habibur Rahman that divers would be hired to continue search for his missing wife, he said.
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