Student killed as bulkhead rams ferry in Shariatpur
A 10-year-old madrasa student was killed and four others were injured when a sand-laden bulkhead rammed a ferry from behind, triggering a truck on board to shift and crush the students near Narsinghpur Ferry Terminal in Shariatpur on Friday.
The accident occurred took place on the Meghna River near Narsinghpur Ferry Terminal on Friday.
The deceased was identified as Tarikul Islam, was a student of Sawtul Quran Cadet Madrasa, located near Shariatpur Sadar Police Station.
He was a resident of Damudya upazila in Shariatpur and was travelling with his family from Chandpur when the accident occurred, said River Police.
The injured were Junait, 9, Abir Hossain, 12, Mahat Islam, 9, and Osman, 10. All four were taken to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital after being rescued from the scene.
According to madrasa authorities, students, teachers and guardians set off on an educational tour to Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban on November 10. After completing the tour, they boarded the MV Kakoli ferry at Harina Ferry Terminal in Chandpur on Friday to return to Narsinghpur in Shariatpur.
Syed Mushfiqur Rahman, superintendent of Chandpur region River Police, said, “We seized the vessel and detained two of its workers, the ferry master was also detained.”
After the teachers, guardians and other students had disembarked, several students were still standing at the front of the ferry. As the ferry approached the terminal, a sand-laden bulkhead rammed it from behind, causing a truck on board to shift and run over the students. Tarikul died on the spot.
The madrasa’s principal said four other students were injured in the accident. He said the authorities were informed after they called the national emergency helpline 999.
He also blamed negligence on the part of the ferry authorities for the accident.
JM Amir, in-charge of Vedarganj Fire Service said firefighters rushed to the scene after receiving information through 999 and launched a rescue operation.
They rescued the four injured students and sent them to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital. The body of the deceased was recovered and handed over to Narsinghpur River Police, he said.
Efforts were underway to detain the bulkhead involved in the collision, he said.