40 killed, over 100 injured in Jhalakathi launch fire

At least 40 people burnt to death and more than 100 others got injured after a deadly fire broke out at the MV Obhijan-10, a passenger launch plying Jhalakathi’s Sugandha River early Friday.

Local administration officials said that the fire originated on the Barguna-bound three-storey vessel around 3 am, which was carrying over 800 passengers from Sadarghat Launch Terminal in Dhaka.

Barishal Divisional Fire Service’s Deputy Director Md Kamal Uddin Bhuiyan, who carried out the rescue drive, said, “We are yet to identify all the deceased victims, which include many women and children. Most of the bodies have burnt badly.

“The others – mostly victims of burn injuries – were taken to hospitals located in Barishal and Dhaka. Some of the injured died on their way to different hospitals.”

Providing a few more details around 7:30 pm, Jhalakathi Deputy Commissioner Md Zohor Ali said, “Four bodies have been identified so far, and the other 36 are awaiting identification. Identification has become difficult because the bodies were burnt beyond recognition.

“We are collecting samples from bodies for DNA tests. Many people have already contacted the administration over missing persons.

Authorities concerned have yet to determine the cause of the fire, or the amount of damage it caused.

Survivors claim explosion, then fire

A number of survivors claimed to have heard an explosion, then saw fire in the vessel’s engine room or canteen.

Quoting the launch’s canteen boy Yasin, fire service authorities said the staff heard a gas cylinder explosion in the canteen next to the engine room on the ground floor. The cylinder exploded with a loud bang and caught fire immediately.

“The flames then soon spread to the engine room where roughly 13 barrels of diesel were stored.”

One of the surviving passengers, Md Anower Hossain however said, “I first saw the flames engulf the engine room on the ground floor of the vessel, and then it quickly spread to other floors.”

Another passenger, Rubel Hossain said, “When the fire started spreading throughout the launch, most passengers were asleep in the winter night. After learning about the fire, many panicked, jumped into the river and swam ashore when the vessel reached Gabkhan Bridge.”

Probe committees formed

The Ministry of Shipping on Friday formed a seven-member committee to probe the fire incident. The government also announced Tk 1.5 lakh as compensation for each of the victims’ families.

Besides, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) also formed a six-member probe body over the incident.

The Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology’s Accident Research Institute Director Prof Hadiuzzaman said such a vessel catching fire is rare.

He further said, “Proper monitoring and maintenance of vessels are very important for ensuring safety. As per regulations, it is mandatory for passenger and cargo vessels to undergo docking surveys every two and four years respectively, for checking mechanical and structural fitness.

“But in many cases, vessels suffer accidents because these checks are not performed accordingly.”

According to the Accident Research Institute, at least 64 accidents took place in waterways across the country this year till December 12, which killed 158 people and injured 88 others.

Many fighting for their lives

A significant number of the injured victims are in critical condition at different hospitals, and the death toll could increase further, said HM Saiful Islam, director at the Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.

He added, “Seventy of the injured are undergoing treatment here, while ten were sent to the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka. Some have burns covering 10 per cent – 50 per cent of their bodies, and many suffered burns in their windpipes.”

President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury expressed deep shock and sorrow at the loss of lives in the launch fire incident.

In condolence messages, the president, prime minister and the state minister prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.

They sought speedy recovery of the people who have sustained injuries.

BIWTA officials said Al Araf and Company – from Dhaka’s Sutrapur area – owns the ill-fated MV Obhijan-10. The company is owned by four people.

The vessel is 64 meters long and 10.5 meters wide, with a depth of 2.80 meters. Its carrying capacity at night is 420 people, in daytime it is 760.

On June 29 last year, around 33 people were killed when Dhaka-bound launch “MV Morning Bird” carrying at least 150 passengers from Munshiganj sank after being hit by another launch “Mayur-2” near Shyambazar in the capital’s old town.