At least two persons were killed and 10 others suffered injuries after a passenger launch hit another in Majherchar area of the Meghna River early yesterday amid thick fog. The victims were identified as Mahmuda Khatun, 25, the pregnant wife of Rubel Hossain, and their son Momin, 6, hailing from Vandarikati under Bakerganj upazila of Barishal district, said Asim Kumar Sarkar, officer-in-charge (OC) of Hijla Police Station under Barishal. Jhantu Mia, manager of Kirtankhola-10 launch, said the Dhaka-bound Farhan-9 launch from Hularhat in Bhandaria hit the middle part of Kirtankhola-10 around 1:30am. "The accident left two persons dead on the spot while a large part of the launch was also damaged," he added. Sources quoting the eye-witnesses said the Dhaka-bound triple-deck launch MV Kirtonkhola-10 was carrying more than 800 passengers, while Vandaria-bound triple-deck launch MV Farhan-9 was carrying over 500 passengers. Azmal Huda Mithu, deputy director of the BIWTA and the Barishal river port officer said all the dead and injured victims were identified as passengers of MV Kirtankhola-10 launch.

Md Rafiqul Islam, director of the BIWTA, said the authorities concerned have formed a four-member inquiry committee to look into the facts. The committee was ordered to file report within 5 working days. Meanwhile, the BIWTA directed the concerned owner of the launch to compensate each family of the deceased with Tk 1.5 lakh and bear the medical expenses of those injured.