In a statement, she expressed deep concern over the abandonment of salvage operation of the launch that sank in Jamuna near Aricha Gaht, and demanded immediate resignation of the shipping minister.

"It's now crystal clear that the prime minister did not take any action against those responsible for the recent launch disasters just to protect the interests of her family and a launch company owned by her family," Hasina said.

The opposition leader alleged that the government has failed to recover bodies of all victims. "And the bodies recovered could not be buried as per religious rituals," she said.

Hasina said: "Although the government has abandoned the salvage operation, it could not hand over the bodies of the victims to their families and provide compensation to the families of the victims."

She asked the government to take necessary steps to prevent recurrence of launch accidents.

Hasina also expressed her heart-felt sympathy to the bereaved family members and prayed for salvation of the departed souls.