DHAKA: The Barisal-bound launch, which was stuck on an underwater shoal in the Meghna River early Friday, got released on its own during a high-tide at noon.

Parabat-9 set off the shoal aided by tidal surge at 1:15pm and moved to its destination after a seven-hour stuck. 

Giasuddin, a Sukani (an assistant to a master) of the launch, confirmed the matter to banglanews. 

Earlier, the launch, with some one thousand passengers, got stuck on an underwater shoal in the river at 6:00am.

In absence of navigation due to poor visibility caused by thick fog, the launch was forced to anchor in Miar char area under Hizla Upazila of the district, said manager of Parabat launch M Selim.

He said that after visibility returns, they tried to sail the launch but it got stuck on a shoal due to low tide.

BDST: 1416 HRS, DEC 19, 2014