At least 15 people, including three passengers and 12 staffs, went missing as three launches anchored at WAPDA launch ghat in Naria of Shariatpur capsized in Padma River due to strong current early yesteray, reports UNB from Shariatpur. The missing people include Parvin Begum, 35, of Lomsing village of Naria municipality, her 5-day-old baby, Fakhrunnesa Begum and 12 staffs of the capsized launches, said Md Aslam Uddin, officer-in-charge of Naria Police Station.

The police official said four launches were anchored at WAPDA launch ghat in the early morning. Of those, Mouchak-2, Naria-2 and

Mahanagar capsized in the river around 5am after the pontoon ripped from its moorings due to strong current and erosion.

Five passengers were rescued alive while three passengers and 12 staffs of the capsized launches are still missing, he added, quoting authorities of launches and relatives of the missing people.

Motahar Shikari, leaseholder of the terminal, said several passengers and the staffs of the three launches went missing.