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.

At least 484 people were killed and 673 injured in 427 road accidents throughout the country in January this year.

Though the number of launch capsizes has decreased, different type of vessels accident is taking place on inland waterways round the year and deaths of people continue, said a report of two non-government organisations on Saturday.