Two siblings were killed when a launch hit them as they were trying to get on a boat from another vessel in the middle of the river Buriganga off Sadarghat launch terminal in the city Sunday morning.
Sources said Nasima, 12, died on the spot while her brother Al-Amin, 9, died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Witnesses said the accident took place at about 6:30am as passenger launch MV Mayur-2, knocked them when they were getting on a boat from MV Koko-1 to go to their Kamrangirchar house.
Nasima and Al-Amin were returning to Dhaka by MV Koko-1 along with their father and brother from Mehendiganj in Barisal after Eid vacation, Keraniganj police said.
Nasima’s body was sent to Mitford Hospital while that of Al-Amin to DMCH morgue for post-mortem examination.
Terminal sources said motorised as well as non-motorised boats carry passengers on short hauls from the terminal or even to and from launches in the middle of the river, ignoring the prohibition by authorities concerned.
‘Boats are not allowed to anchor at the terminal’s jetty as there are separate ferry points for them; but they violate our instruction frequently,’ said Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority’s senior deputy director Sharif Md Afzal Hossain.
Officer-in-charge of Dakkhin Keraniganj police station Abul Bashar earlier admitted that despite their efforts the police as well as the coast guard failed to check the risky and irregular practice.
Earlier, on September 8, a small motorised boat, carrying 10 passengers, capsized when it tried to anchor at one of the pontoons at the Sadarghat terminal.
Boats, carrying passengers, anchor at the terminal, he said, ignoring repeated warnings.
Bangladesh Inland Waterways (Passenger Carrier’s) Association representatives blamed the authorities for allowing the boats to operate even along the mighty rivers without any safety measures.
These boats, they said, create obstructions for water vessels.
