An eight member panel has been formed to investigate the head-on collision between two launches in the Meghna River in Harina of Chandpur district, leaving four people dead and several others injured.
The Ministry of Shipping formed the body headed by its Additional Secretary Md. Muhidul Islam and asked to submit a report within seven working days, identifying the causes of the accident and the parties responsible, according to a notification issued by the ministry on Friday.
The rest of the probe body members are Joint Secretary Mohammad Emran Hossain, a director-level representative from the Department of Shipping, a director-level representative from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), representatives from the Fire Service and Civil Defence Department, the Bangladesh Coast Guard, and the River Police.
Senior Assistant Secretary ATM Morshed will play the role as member secretary. The committee is authorised to co-opt additional members if necessary.
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The committee is tasked with investigating the collision between MV Zakir Samrat-3 and Adventure-9 launches on the Meghna River early Friday (around 2:30am) in Harina.
The MV Zakir Samrat-3 was severely damaged in the accident, resulting in the deaths of four passengers and injuries to five others.
The ministry emphasised prompt inquiry to ensure accountability and prevent similar incidents in the future.