Ferry catches fire in Padma

MADARIPUR, May 14 (UNB) : Ro-Ro ferry 'Shah Mokhdum' on Maowa Kewrakandi route in the Padma river caught fire early Saturday. BIWTC sources said the ferry ran aground during a nor'wester when it reached Hazra channel at around 11pm Friday. A vessel IT-394 started work to salvage Shah Mokhdum at about 12 midnight. But suddenly fire broke out in the engine room of the ferry at about 1am Saturday. The ferry staff members tried to douse the blaze using the fire extinguisher but it spread to the master bridge and passenger shed on third floor due to strong wind. The passengers of 21 vehicles, which were crossing the river by the ferry, jumped into the river to save their lives and managed to swim ashore. Ferry staffs later doused the fire at about 3am after two hours of frantic efforts. BIWTC officials estimated the extent of loss from fire at about Tk 10 million. In another incident a man was killed when a ferry 'Ranikhet' caught in nor'wester on Maowa-Kewrakandi route in the Padma river Friday night. The deceased was identified as Hafez Yusuf Ali, son of late Motiur Rahman of Kafia village in Pirojpur district. Sources said Yusuf fell from the top floor of the ferry during nor' wester, leaving him dead.