MUNSHIGANJ: At least eleven killed and dozens went missing as a launch carrying over two hundred passengers capsized in River Meghna in Gazaria of Munshiganj on Thursday afternoon.    

Three of the deceased were identified as Jamal Sikdar, 55 and his son Abid Sikdar, 28, Tupma Begum 28.             

A lucky passenger, who escaped the accident, said that the launch started from Sadarghat for Faridpur. It sank during a 3-minute Nor’wester at Gazaria point of the river.       

He claimed the death toll might be less if the driver of the launch had become more conscious.                                            

Initially a rescue team led by SI Bazlul Haque of Gazaria naval police outpost is searching the capsized launch.  

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) public relation officer Ashfaqur Rahman Roni said that on information a rescue vessel was sent to the spot from Narayanganj.                                   

The launch carrying around 200 passengers capsized in Gazaria point of Meghna River on Thursday noon.                           

The launch MV Miraz-4 was going to Sureshwar from Munshiganj.     

Gazaria Thana officer-in-charge Ferdouse Ahmed confirmed the matter.

BDST: 1930 HRS, MAY 15, 2014