Family members of the seven people  killed onboard a fertiliser-laden vessel on the Meghna River near Eshanbala Char in Chandpur's Haimchar Upazila on Tuesday claimed the killings as planned and demanded justice.

They identified the bodies at Chandpur General Hospital morgue and those were handed over to them after postmortem this noon.

On Monday afternoon Coast Guard and River Police recovered five bodies and rescued three injured victims from the vessel. Later, two of the injured succumbed to their injuries at the hospital.

No case has been filed yet but preparations for filing a case are underway, said Chandpur’s Haimchar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mahiyuddin Suman

The deceased were identified as Golam Kibria ,55, captain of the vessel hailed from Faridpur, his nephew Sheikh Sabuj,35, a sailor, Aminul Munshi, 40, helmsman from Narail district, Majedul,16, asailor from Magura Sajibul Islam ,26, sailor from Magura, Salahuddin,40, an engineer from Narail and Kazi Rana 24, its cook from Munshiganj.

Sheikh Sabuj’s younger brother Sadikur Rahman said, “My brother recently spoke to me; he was a laskar (sailor) brought in by Captain Golam Kibria who is also our maternal uncle. This horrific incident must be thoroughly investigated, and justice must be ensured.”

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Golam Kibria’s brother Awal Hossain broke down while describing his family’s anguish. “My brother was set to retire in January, but fate had other plans. He left behind two daughters and a son, with his elder daughter’s wedding planned for next month,” he lamented.

Chandpur Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Mohsin Uddin said each victim’s family received Tk 25,000 in financial assistance.

He assured that a case would be filed by the families.