Meghna River Vessel Tragedy: Death Toll Rises To 7

In a tragic incident at the Harina Ferry Ghat in the Meghna River, Chandpur, police have recovered the bodies of five individuals from the cargo vessel MV Al-Bakhira (13946). Additionally, three others were found in critical condition, and two of them succumbed to their injuries on the way to the hospital. The total death toll now stands at seven.

This information was confirmed by Syed Mushfiqur Rahman, Superintendent of Police (SP) of the Chandpur Naval Police Region.

The details of the killings and the identities of the deceased are still unknown. However, it has been reported that one of the critically injured individuals undergoing treatment at the hospital is named Jewel.

According to initial reports, the cargo vessel MV Al-Bakhira, which had set sail from the Chittagong CFUL Jetty carrying urea fertilizer, was on its way to Nagarbari in Pabna. However, it failed to reach Dhaka on time, and it is believed that the vessel was hijacked by robbers near the Alur Bazar Char area on the western shore of Harina Ferry Ghat in Chandpur.

Upon knowing of the vessel's current location and situation, the ship's owners contacted the emergency service number 999. 

Upon receiving the information, Coast Guard Commander of Chandpur Station Lieutenant Fazlul Haque, SP Syed Mushfiqur Rahman, Additional Police Superintendent Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun, and Assistant Police Superintendent Mohammad Imtiaz reached the site. They found five bodies in the vessel's cabins and rescued three others in critical condition. Unfortunately, two of the critically injured individuals died on the way to the hospital.

According to the Navy Police, the vessel was anchored in the Meghna River within the jurisdiction of Chandpur Sadar Police Station. The vessel was transporting fertilizer at the time. It is suspected that the victims were the vessel’s crew members, including the captain and other staff.

SP Syed Mushfiqur Rahman stated that they received the emergency call at around 3:00 PM and proceeded to the location where they discovered the five bodies and the three critically injured persons. They quickly transported the survivors to the hospital for medical treatment.