Seven sailors have been murdered in a deadly attack on a fertiliser-laden cargo ship named MV Al Bakherah in the Meghna River in Chandpur, officials and media reports
said Monday.
Five were found slain aboard the ship of Brishti Enterprises and two others succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment at Chandpur Upazila Health Complex.
"They died while undergoing treatment at the hospital," said Sudipta Roy, Additional Superintendent of Chandpur Police of the district, about the two deaths in hospital.
Earlier in the day, police recovered five bodies and rescued three critically injured individuals from the vessel in the Ishanbala area.
The victims have been identified as Master Kibria, engine-driver Salauddin, helmsman Aminul Munshi, and greasers Sajibul, Azizul, and Majedul Islam. The name of one of the deceased was yet to be confirmed.
The injured individual has been identified as Jewel. All of the victims and the injured are residents of Narail district.
Naval police suspect that they may have come under attack during the night, a UNB report says.
Master Bachchu Mia and greaser Md Masud, from Brishti Enterprise's other ship named Mugni-3, said the vessel Al Bakherah, which was carrying fertilizer, left Chittagong at 8am on Sunday.
Later, the company's owner, Shipon, attempted to contact the Al Bakherah but received no response.
Concerned about the loss of communications, he instructed the Mugni-3 crew to reach out. When the Mugni-3 staff spotted Al Bakherah near Mawa, they found the ship drifting and the bodies of the victims in a pool of blood. They immediately called emergency services at 999.
Upon receiving the call, the Coast Guard and Naval Police from Chandpur arrived at the scene and recovered the bodies.
Dr Anisur Rahman, Resident Medical Officer (RMO) at Chandpur Government General Hospital, said one of the injured, Jewel, suffered head and neck injuries from a sharp weapon. "After receiving initial treatment, Jewel was sent to Dhaka for advanced care."
Syed Mushfiqur Rahman, Superintendent of Chandpur Naval Police, mentions it is believed the victims may have been killed for an attempt to prevent a robbery on the ship. "A thorough investigation into the incident is currently underway."
Chandpur Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Mohsin Uddin visited the scene and shared that one of the injured individuals communicated through a hand gesture, indicating there were eight people involved.
"The cause of the attack and further details remain under investigation."
DC Mohsin Uddin also said he had spoken to the naval police and the coastguard regarding security, as ships regularly travel on this route.
He emphasised the need for strengthening security measures to ensure the safety in the area.
This tragic event has left the local community in shock, as officials work to uncover the circumstances surrounding the macabre deaths.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Industries has formed an investigation committee and expressed condolences over the brutal murder and injury of crew members on board the ship.
In a statement the Ministry of Industries expressed its deep shock and condolences to the family members of the crew who were "brutally murdered and injured by a group of pirates and robbers" on the MV Al Bakera ship loaded with fertiliser near Harina Ferry Ghat in Chandpur. The ministry is demanding immediate arrest and punishment of those involved. It said a 4-member investigation committee has been formed by the Ministry of Industries over the murder of the crew members of the MV Al Bakera ship. An additional secretary of the ministry has been made convener while a joint secretary made its member-secretary.
The committee has been instructed to submit a report within the next 5 working days with clear recommendations on the cause of the killings, the extent of damage and liability, and what to do in the future to prevent similar naval accidents.