Launch with 1,000 aboard runs aground in Barisal

A launch (passenger ferry) with around 1,000 on board ran aground in Meghna Rivers in Mehendiganj Upazila of Barisal district on Thursday. BIWTA’s Barisal Launch Terminal and Coast Guard officials said ‘MV Tutul’ – the overloaded triple-decked launch  carrying about 1,000 passengers, remained stuck in a hidden shoal in Meghna River since Thursday morning. The launch started its journey for Barisal city from Chandpur Launch Terminal early Thursday but the vessel ran aground in Mehendiganj area around 4:30am. A Fire Service and Civil Defence team and a Coast Guard team were rescued the stranded passengers from the launch and taking them to a safe place, Coast Guard and BIWTA officials said. A salvage vessel also started for Mehendiganj from Chandpur to salvage the launch, according to a news agency.
- biplab