Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Monday urged the government to take effective steps to check waterway accidents in the country.
“The tragic accident like Shibchar’s one can’t be accepted. Effective measures must be taken to prevent the waterway accidents,” he said in a condolence message issued over the loss of lives in a speedboat capsize in the Padma River.
He also called upon the government to identify those responsible for the accident through an investigation, and take proper legal action against them.
Also read: Procuring vaccine from one source was a wrong move: GM Quader
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, demanded justified compensations for the families of the victims.
He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of huge lives in the incident.
The Jatiya Party chief also prayed for the salvation of the departed souls and conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved family members.
Earlier in the morning, at least 26 people died when a speedboat sank in the river in Shibchar upazila of Madaripur district.
The Banglabazar-bound speedboat from Shimulia Ferry Ghat capsized in the river after a collision with a sand-laden bulkhead.
Also read: Eid-Ul-Fitr: JaPa leader GM Quader greets PM
Twenty-six bodies were retrieved from the river with the help of divers from local Fire Service and Civil Defence, police and Coast Guard members.
Meanwhile, the local administration formed a six-member committee to investigate the speedboat capsize incident.