Two killed, two missing as two launches collide at Dhaka Sadarghat

Two launches collided at Dhaka Sadarghat IWTA terminal on Wednesday killing two persons.

Dhaka, Mar 18 — At least two people were killed and two others remain missing after an incoming launch crashed into one that was anchored at Sadarghat in the capital on Wednesday evening. A small boat carrying would-be passengers to the anchored launch gets caught between the two, and in the chaos several people were hit with the full force of the approaching launch.

The identities of the victims could not be confirmed immediately, said Sohag Rana, officer-in-charge (OC) of Sadarghat River Police Station.

He said rescue operations were being hampered by inclement weather, after a pre-monsoon thunderstorm swept through the capital right around sunset. 

“We will start the operations soon,” the OC however said.

According to witnesses, the accident occurred when a small boat carrying around seven to eight passengers became trapped between two launches during the collision, leaving two people dead on the spot.

The whereabouts of the remaining passengers remain unknown, they alleged. - UNB