Key Highlights
- A young man named Sohel (22) was killed in a collision between two launches at Sadarghat in the capital.
- His pregnant wife Reshma Akhter Reba (20) was seriously injured.
- The accident occurred on Wednesday (March 18) at around 5:30 pm.
- Two people are missing in the incident, and a rescue operation is underway.
- The injured Reba has been admitted to Mitford Hospital.
A young man named Sohel (22) was killed in a collision between two launches in the capital’s Sadarghat area. His pregnant wife Reshma Akhter Reba (20) who was with him was seriously injured. Two others are missing in the incident. The accident occurred at around 5:30 pm on Wednesday (March 18).
Identification of the deceased and injured
The deceased Sohel is a resident of Mehendiganj area of Barisal. He was boarding a launch to return home with his wife Reba. Reshma Akhter Reba has been admitted to Sir Salimullah Medical College (Mitford) Hospital in a seriously injured condition.
Details of the accident
According to police and eyewitness sources, passengers were boarding a launch named ‘Asa Jawa-5’ in Sadarghat. At that time, another launch named ‘Zakir Samrat-3’ hit him from behind. As a result of the collision, Sohel, who was in the trawler, fell between the two launches and was killed and his wife was seriously injured.
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Police statement
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kotwali Police Station Md. Faisal Ahmed confirmed the matter and said,
“দুটি লঞ্চ সংঘর্ষের ঘটনায় একজন নিহত হয়েছেন। আহত অন্তঃসত্ত্বা নারী রেবাকে মিটফোর্ড হাসপাতালে ভর্তি করা হয়েছে। এছাড়া কয়েকজন নিখোঁজ রয়েছেন। তাদের উদ্ধারের চেষ্টা চলছে।”
Translation: “One person has been killed in the two-launch collision. The injured pregnant woman, Reba, has been admitted to Mitford Hospital. Several others are also missing. Efforts are underway to rescue them.”
Naval Police OC Sohag Rana said,
“ঘটনাস্থলে নৌ পুলিশ ও ফায়ার সার্ভিসের টিম কাজ করছে। তবে আলোর স্বল্পতা ও পর্যাপ্ত সরঞ্জামের অভাবে উদ্ধার অভিযান সাময়িকভাবে বন্ধ রাখা হয়েছে। একজন নারীকে জীবিত অবস্থায় উদ্ধার করা হয়েছে। তিনি এখনও হতবিহ্বল। স্বাভাবিক হলে তার বক্তব্য পাওয়া যাবে।”
Translation: “Naval Police and Fire Service teams are working at the scene. However, the rescue operation has been temporarily suspended due to poor lighting and lack of adequate equipment. One woman has been rescued alive. She is still in shock. We will get her statement if she is normal.”
Fire Service Senior Station Officer Md. Zahir said,
“ঘটনার ভিডিও ফুটেজ বিশ্লেষণ করে প্রকৃত কারণ জানা যাবে। আমরা পুলিশের সঙ্গে সমন্বয় করে কাজ করছি।”
Translation: “The real cause of the incident will be known by analyzing the video footage. We are working in coordination with the police.”
The Sadarghat area has been shrouded in mourning after the accident. Police said that legal action will be taken if there is evidence of negligence on the part of the drivers of the two launches or those involved.
Source: The Delta Lens
