A launch carrying about 550 passengers remains stuck in a shoal in Meghna river near Barishal’s Mehendiganj uapzilla since early Wednesday(Nov.13).
The Dhaka-bound launch from Barguna named ‘M V Shahrukh-2’ ran aground in the char along Kaliganj area around 3:00am, causing immense sufferings to the passengers.
M V Shahrukh-2 started from Barguna river port around 4:00pm yesterday, said driver of that launch Shahidul Islam
“Unskilled driver accidentally hit the shoals while crossing Kaliganj channel,” Masud Shikder, one of the passengers on the launch, alleged.
Another passenger Monir Chowdhury said they were facing immense sufferings as the launch remains stuck in the middle of the river. The launch authorities were taking advantage of the situation by increasing prices for the foods available at the canteen of the vessel, he alleged.
However the driver said that he has been trying to bring down the vessel from the shoals and added that the accident occurred due to fog.