At least 37 people were burnt to death and at least 70 seriously injured as a passenger launch caught fire on Sugandha River at Gabkhan-Dhansiri area under Sadar upazila in Jhalokathi on early Friday.

Identities of the victims could not be known immediately.

Bodies of 37 people were recovered so far. The number of burn injured people will be over 100.

The launch had been carrying 700 to 800 passengers, Jhalokati fire service and civil defense deputy assistant director Bilal Uddin said.

Being informed, the fire service rescuers and law enforcers search operation was in progress, he said.

The injured ones were rushed to Jhalokathi Sadar Hospital and, of them, the critically injured ones were being referred to Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, he added.

Fire service officials said that at least 90 people were hospitalised until 9:30am.

‘The launch caught fire at about 3:00am on Friday while it was on its way to Barguna from Dhaka, the official said.

BDST: 1521 HRS, DEC 24, 2021
SMS