Speedboat Capsizes after Collision with Launch in Bhola, Constable Missing, 5 Injured

A speedboat capsized after being struck by a passenger launch in the Meghna River in Lalmohan, Bhola, leaving one police constable missing and five others injured.

The missing constable, Md. Fakhrul Islam, was posted at the Mangalsikder Police Investigation Centre. He is from Bakerganj upazila in Barishal.

The incident occurred around 8:00 pm on Wednesday (March 18) near Mangalsikder Launch Ghat.

According to local sources, the Dhaka-bound passenger launch MV Karnaphuli-12 reached the ghat around 7:30 pm. At the same time, a speedboat carrying a fisheries monitoring team was operating nearby as part of a river protection drive.

The team included Fisheries Office staff Abbas Uddin, Monowar Hossain, and Saiful Islam Sohag, along with driver Md. Yamin and three police constables.

As the launch was approaching the ghat, the speedboat overturned after being hit by the launch’s rear propeller.

Locals rescued six people from the river, while five injured individuals were taken to Lalmohan Upazila Health Complex. Driver Md. Yamin, who is in critical condition, was later transferred to Bhola 250-bed General Hospital for advanced treatment.

Md. Fakhrul Islam remains missing. A search operation continued until midnight but failed to locate him.

Lalmohan Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Oliul Islam said rescue efforts were suspended overnight due to darkness. Diving teams from the Navy and Coast Guard have been deployed to resume the search.