Launch capsize death toll now 27

MUNSHIGANJ, May 16 (UNB) : The death toll from the Thursday's launch capsize in the Meghna River in Gazaria upazila rose to 27 with the recovery of 15 more bodies Friday.

Twenty-one of the deceased were identified as Mohammad Jamal Shikdar, 50, Setara Begum, 55, Tumpa Begum, 26, Mahi,4, Abir, 2, Sumona,8, Jalil Malat, 50, Manik,14, Abdullah Al Redowan, 40, Rashida Begum, 60, Khorshed Ali Khandakar, 35, Osman Goni Mollah, 40, Ismail Fakir, 65, Kamal

Das, 50, Krishna Mandal, 50, Abdul Jalil, 55, Aklima Akter Riya, Rahima Begum, 55, Lailee Begum, 50, Ritu Akter, 12, Mannan Dewan, 50.The Sureshwar-bound launch, 'MV Miraj-4', carrying over 200 passengers sank near Gazaria Launch Ghat in the Meghna after it was caught by a violent storm on Thursday afternoon.  Twelve bodies were retrieved from the river till Thursday night while 15 others from early Friday to till filing of this report at about 6pm, said Deputy Commissioner Saiful Islam Badal.  Besides, some 45-50 people managed to swim ashore after the accident, he said quoting locals.Around 120 more people are believed to remain still missing in the launch capsize.Locals started the rescue operation soon after the launch sank at Daulatpur in the Meghna River. Later, divers from Fire Service, Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Coast Guard joined the rescue operation. Three rescue ships-'Prataya', 'Durbar' and 'Durjoy'-were also called in.