At least eight people were killed and numerous others injured following a head-on collision between two passenger launches, MV Adventure-9 and MV Zakir Samrat-3, in the Meghna River early Friday Morning.
The accident occurred around 2:00 AM near the Harina and Haimchar areas of Chandpur amid significantly reduced visibility caused by dense fog.
MV Zakir Samrat-3 was traveling from Bhola to Dhaka, while MV Adventure-9 was en route from Dhaka to Barisal.
The collision left the front section of the Adventure-9 severely mangled. Many of its passengers were reportedly political activists returning from a public meeting in the capital.
While authorities have confirmed 8 fatalities, the identities of the deceased have not yet been established. The injured are currently receiving treatment at various facilities, including Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.
Syed Mushfiqur Rahman, SP of Chandpur Naval Police, confirmed the incident, citing heavy fog as the primary cause.
On Friday morning, Jhalokati Police seized the Adventure-9 launch at the Jhalokati terminal and detained four crew members for questioning. Passengers from the damaged Zakir Samrat-3 were transferred to the MV Karnaphuli-9 to complete their journey to Dhaka.
Investigations by the Naval Police and BIWTA are ongoing to determine if there was any negligence beyond the weather conditions.
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