CHANDPUR: At least eight people were killed and 12 others injured after a collision between two passenger launches on the Meghna River in Chandpur district, Bangladesh.
According to the Chandpur region Superintendent of Police of the River Police, the accident occurred in the early hours amid dense fog, which severely reduced visibility on the river. The official confirmed that the vessels involved were MV Zakir Samrat-3 and Adventure-9.
Eyewitnesses and passengers said that MV Zakir Samrat-3 had departed from Bhola late Wednesday night carrying passengers to Dhaka. After entering the Meghna River near Chandpur, the launch slowed down due to heavy fog. During this time, it collided with Adventure-9, a passenger launch coming from Barisal.
Authorities reported that the impact caused one side of MV Zakir Samrat-3 to twist, resulting in panic and casualties on both vessels. Rescue teams rushed to the scene, while the injured were shifted to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
An investigation into the incident has been launched, and officials are assessing whether safety protocols were followed during navigation in poor weather conditions.
River transport accidents are common in Bangladesh, particularly during winter months when fog frequently disrupts visibility on major waterways.
