Ferry-bulkhead collision on Padma River kills child

The accident occurred around 9:00 AM on Friday (November 13). The identity of the deceased child could not be immediately confirmed, while the injured child was rushed to a hospital in Chandpur via speedboat.

According to Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) officials and eyewitnesses, the ferry 'Kakoli' departed from Chandpur heading towards the Narsinghpur ferry ghat in Shariatpur. After crossing the main stretch of the Meghna River and entering the Berachakki channel in Shariatpur around 9:00 AM, a bulkhead violently rammed the ferry from behind.

The impact caused several standing passengers on the ferry to lose their balance and fall. During the jolt, the 11-year-old child's head struck the body of a bus parked on the ferry, resulting in instant death, while another child sustained injuries.

Following the collision, the bulkhead driver fled the scene with the vessel. River police are working to identify and detain both the vessel and its operator.

BIWTC Narsinghpur Ferry Ghat Deputy Manager Iqbal Hossain confirmed that the bulkhead struck the ferry from behind as it entered the channel, causing standing passengers to fall. "A child died after hitting their head against a bus. The matter has been reported to the police, who have arrived at the scene and begun an investigation," he added.