Two passenger launches collided on the Meghna River near Chandpur on Sunday amid dense fog, narrowly averting a tragedy as all passengers escaped unscathed.
The accident involved Prince Awlad-10, traveling from Dhaka to Barishal and Dhaka-bound MV Kirtonkhola-10. Both vessels sustained damage but there were no casualties, confirmed Chandpur Regional Naval Police sub-inspector Sheikh Abdur Sabur.
The collision, caused by low visibility due to thick fog, occurred near Harina Ferry Ghat in Chandpur Sadar. The incident triggered panic among passengers, many of whom screamed for help as the vessels collided mid-river.
Prince Awlad-10, carrying 580 passengers, was unable to continue its journey. Another launch, Shuboraj-9, came to the rescue, transferring the stranded passengers to Barishal. Meanwhile, MV Kirtonkhola-10, which sustained minimal damage, resumed its journey to Dhaka after some delay.
Somor Krishna, a Traffic Inspector from the Naval Safety Management Department, emphasized the challenges of navigating the Meghna River under dense fog. The collision site was reported through a 999 emergency call from a Kirtonkhola-10 passenger, though the exact location of the incident is yet to be confirmed.
Authorities have urged heightened caution during foggy conditions to prevent such incidents in the future.
