Staff Correspondent :
During a crossing of the Dhaleshwari River at Baktabali in Fatullah, Narayanganj, five vehicles-including a truck fell from a moving ferry into the middle of the river and sank. Three people were killed in the incident.
The Narayanganj District Administration has formed a nine-member investigation committee and instructed it to submit its report within seven working days. The accident occurred around 9:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Baktabali River Police Outpost In-Charge Inspector Md. Rakibuzzaman said the ferry departed from the eastern ghat of Baktabali carrying vehicles and passengers. Mid-river, the truck suddenly stalled.
As a result, a motorcycle in front of the truck, two battery-powered auto-rickshaws, and a van were pushed into the river and sank. The truck also lost control and fell into the river.
After the incident, the truck driver managed to swim ashore, but two people went missing. Another person was taken to hospital in critical condition, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead.
Later, around 1:30 a.m., the bodies of the two missing persons were recovered by a Fire Service diving team.
The deceased were identified as Singapore expatriate Masud Rana (30), motorcycle rider Md. Rafik (35), and van driver Swadhin (25).
He added that it is suspected the truck was still in gear even after boarding the ferry. When it suddenly engaged, the driver sitting at the steering wheel failed to control it.
Following the incident in which five vehicles fell from the ferry and three people died, the district administration formed a nine-member investigation committee headed by Additional District Magistrate Naima Islam. The committee has been directed to submit its report within seven working days.
Meanwhile, from Sunday afternoon, BIWTA began preliminary operations at the accident site, including measuring the river’s depth.
BIWTA Assistant Director Md. Kamruzzaman said that once the depth measurement is completed, recovery operations for the submerged vehicles will begin in phases.
During a visit to the site, investigation committee head Additional District Magistrate Naima Islam said the truck driver responsible for the incident has been absconding since the accident.
“I have inspected the scene and met with the family of one of the victims. The investigation is ongoing. Efforts are underway to determine how the submerged vehicles can be recovered,” she said.
