RAJBARI: At least 41 bodies were recovered from the launch MV Mostafa capsized Sunday noon in Padma River with more than 150 passengers aboard.
The identities of the deceased, including seven minors and 10 women, could not be known immediately.
Sources said divers of fire service and civil defense recovered the bodies from the sunken launch till 9:15pm.
Dhaka range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police Nuruzzaman confirmed the figure.
On the other hand, two control rooms have already been open at Daulatdia and Paturia on behalf of the deputy commissioners of Rajbari and Manikganj districts to carry on rescue operations properly.
Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan rushed to the spot to monitor the salvage operation.
Manikganj deputy commissioner Rashida Ferdous, Superintendent of Police (SP) Bidhan Tripura and senior officers of the administration were also present at the accident site.
Moreover, Shibalaya Upazila Health Complex of Manikganj has been operating a medical support centre in Paturia ghat area.
Sources said Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and local administration rescued more than 50 passengers and many remained missing.
Later, 11 divers of Bangladesh Navy joined the rescue operation.
BIWTA chairman Shamsudduha Khondaker announced that family members of the each deceased of will get Tk 1.25 lakh.
The launch, heading for Daulatdia, capsized after being hit by a Baghabari-bound fertilizer-laden cargo in the middle of the river Padma around 11:45am.
Law enforcers, however, seized the cargo vessel Nargis-1 from Paturia ghat.
BDST: 2145 HRS, FEB 22, 2015
