Man killed, pregnant wife injured in Sadarghat launch collision

A young man was killed and his pregnant wife seriously injured after two passenger launches collided at Sadarghat in the capital on Wednesday (March 18).

The deceased, Sohel, 22, was a resident of Mehendiganj in Barishal. He was boarding a launch with his wife, Reshma Akter Reba, 20, to return home when the accident occurred.

Reba, who sustained critical injuries, has been admitted to Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital (Mitford) for treatment.

According to preliminary information, the collision took place in the afternoon during passenger boarding at the busy terminal, involving MV Asha-Jawa-5 and MV Zakir Samrat-3.

At least two more people were injured, while a father and son are among two individuals reported missing. Naval police and fire service personnel are jointly conducting rescue operations to locate the missing.

According to eyewitnesses, passengers were being boarded onto MV Asha-Jawa-5 (Dhaka–Ilisha route) using a trawler when MV Zakir Samrat-3 (Dhaka–Deula–Ghosherhat route) rammed into it from behind, triggering panic and chaos. Two waiting passengers were seriously injured in the incident.

Sohag Rana, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sadarghat Naval Police Station, said, "Multiple reports regarding the missing had been received, but so far two people have been confirmed missing. Several naval police teams are working at the scene."

Muhammad Mobarak Hossain, joint director of the Naval Safety and Traffic Management Department, said initial findings suggest one passenger was killed and another injured, who was sent to hospital. The collision occurred near pontoon number 14 at Sadarghat, and a detailed investigation is underway.

A naval police official involved in the rescue said they rushed to the scene immediately after receiving the report. Bloodstains were found on one of the launches, and one person was rescued from the river. His condition could not be immediately confirmed, and he is currently receiving treatment at Mitford Hospital.