Lucky escape

Launch collides with cargo vessel on Kirtankhola

At least 10 passengers of the Dhaka-bound day service launch, MV Green Line 2, were injured when it collided head-on with a Barisal-bound coal-laden cargo vessel on the Kirtankhola river, in the Beltola area of Barisal, yesterday (Saturday). The impact caused the cargo vessel to sink, and the passenger launch was badly damaged. However, no death was reported till the filing of the report. The district administration has formed a five-member committee to find out what had really happened. It was told to file a report within seven working days. Witnesses, passengers and police said the MV Green Line 2 left Barisal Ghat for Dhaka with 400 passengers at 3pm. When it was crossing the Charbaria Beltola point at about 3:40pm, the cargo vessel was seen approaching. Passengers said both vessels exchanged signals. But violating the signal code, the passenger launch collided with the cargo vessel and the latter sank. The front and left sides of the launch were damaged. However, with the help of local people, the launch pilot managed to anchor the vessel at Beltola Ghat.
Two units of the Barisal Fire Service, Metropolitan Police, river police and the district administration rescued the passengers and sent them to Barisal Ghat by another vessel, the Sunderban 12. Ten injured passengers were treated locally.
There were cracks at the bottom of the launch. It was seen lying half sunk.
Anisul Haque and Rokeya Begum, passengers of the launch, said the pilot was plying the vessel recklessly from the beginning. The pilot and other launch hands fled after the accident.
The police suspect that the cargo vessel did not have proper documents, because all its staff fled after the collision. The deputy commissioner (DC) of Barisal, Gazi Md Saifuzaman, visited the spot. He said the district administration formed a five-member inquiry committee, headed by ADC (general) Md Zakir Hosen.
Selim Reza, officer-in-charge of Kawnia police station, said a case will be filed after the investigation.
It may be mentioned that five passengers died in a similar accident at the same place on July 5, 2016.

Lucky escape

Launch collides with cargo vessel on Kirtankhola

At least 10 passengers of the Dhaka-bound day service launch, MV Green Line 2, were injured when it collided head-on with a Barisal-bound coal-laden cargo vessel on the Kirtankhola river, in the Beltola area of Barisal, yesterday (Saturday). The impact caused the cargo vessel to sink, and the passenger launch was badly damaged. However, no death was reported till the filing of the report. The district administration has formed a five-member committee to find out what had really happened. It was told to file a report within seven working days. Witnesses, passengers and police said the MV Green Line 2 left Barisal Ghat for Dhaka with 400 passengers at 3pm. When it was crossing the Charbaria Beltola point at about 3:40pm, the cargo vessel was seen approaching. Passengers said both vessels exchanged signals. But violating the signal code, the passenger launch collided with the cargo vessel and the latter sank. The front and left sides of the launch were damaged. However, with the help of local people, the launch pilot managed to anchor the vessel at Beltola Ghat. Two units of the Barisal Fire Service, Metropolitan Police, river police and the district administration rescued the passengers and sent them to Barisal Ghat by another vessel, the Sunderban 12. Ten injured passengers were treated locally. There were cracks at the bottom of the launch. It was seen lying half sunk. Anisul Haque and Rokeya Begum, passengers of the launch, said the pilot was plying the vessel recklessly from the beginning. The pilot and other launch hands fled after the accident. The police suspect that the cargo vessel did not have proper documents, because all its staff fled after the collision. The deputy commissioner (DC) of Barisal, Gazi Md Saifuzaman, visited the spot. He said the district administration formed a five-member inquiry committee, headed by ADC (general) Md Zakir Hosen. Selim Reza, officer-in-charge of Kawnia police station, said a case will be filed after the investigation. It may be mentioned that five passengers died in a similar accident at the same place on July 5, 2016.