Boat carrying 21 passengers capsizes following collision in central Bangladesh
PASSENGER VESSEL WEEK
Bangladeshi media reports that a small boat that was being used to ferry passengers capsized and sank after it was struck by a passing cargo ship in the country’s central district of Narayanganj on Friday, August 12.
A local fire official said the boat was underway on the Dhaleshwari River and approaching a ferry terminal at Baktabali in Narayanganj City when it was hit by the unidentified cargo ship at around 03:30 local time.
The captain and the 21 passengers then jumped into the water and swam to shore as the boat sank. No casualties or missing individuals have been reported among those who were on board at the time of the incident.
The captain later recounted that, prior to the collision, he had temporarily delegated control of the helm to one of the passengers so that he could collect fares.
Police officials said they are working to confirm the identity of the cargo vessel before the commencement of legal proceedings in connection with the mishap, as such large ships are prohibited from sailing on the river at night.
No details have yet been provided on whether the boat’s captain will face charges for leaving his post at the helm while his vessel was still moving along the water.
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