85 passengers rescued after launch runs aground in Padma

An inter-district launch carrying 85 passengers became stranded on a sandbar in the Padma River on Saturday evening, prompting a swift rescue operation by river police.

According to the River Police, the MV Boali departed from Daulatdia Launch Terminal at around 7:45PM enroute to Paturia in Manikganj. While navigating the Padma River, the vessel ran aground on a sandbar at Kushihata area.

Upon receiving an emergency alert via the national helpline 999, personnel from both Daulatdia and Paturia river police stations rushed to the scene. A coordinated rescue operation was launched immediately to ensure passenger safety.

The stranded passengers were transferred from the sandbar to another vessel, MV Chishtia, with the assistance of a trawler and two police speedboats. All 85 passengers were safely moved and later transported to Paturia Launch Terminal under police supervision around 11:30 PM.

Officer-in-Charge of Daulatdia River Police Outpost Trinath Saha confirmed that no injuries were reported in the incident. “We responded promptly after receiving the distress call and successfully rescued all passengers safely,” he said.

Authorities did not report any casualties and normal river traffic was later restored in the area.

TZ