Desperate search for sunken launch, 40 bodies recovered

MUNSHIGANJ: Two salvage ships -- Jarip-10 and Kandari-2 having modern equipment  were searching for the sunken ‘Pinak-6’ launch as 40 bodies have so far been recovered after the vessel sank in the Padma River near Mawaghat in Lauhajang upazila with over 250 passengers on board Monday, according to a news agency.
Deputy director of Navy headquarters Commander Habibul Alam said Jarip-10 reached Mawa Friday morning and joined the rescue operation.
He said the two salvage ships started their operation in the morning using the modern equipment to locate the sunken launch.
Earlier, salvage vessels -- Nirbhik and Rustam –- rushed to the spot but they failed to locate the launch due to strong currents in the mighty river.
Relatives of the missing passengers got furious as the authorities failed to trace the ill-fated launch even after five days of the incident.
Meanwhile, the death toll from the tragic incident reached 40 with the recovery of four more bodies Friday.
Of the four bodies, one each was recovered from Mawa, Shariatpur, Bhola and Barisal.
Of the total bodies, 23 were handed over to the victims’ family members for burial, the district administration sources said.
Besides, 17 bodies were kept on Pachhar Primary School premises in Shipchar upazila of Madaripur district for identification.
Munshiganj Deputy Commissioner Md Saiful Hasan Badal said according to their list, 130 people remained missing till Friday.
The mishap took place when the overloaded launch with over 250 passengers on board from Kawrakandi capsized in the river, 800 yards off Mawaghat (jetty)g around 11:15 am Monday due to strong currents while it was heading towards the jetty.