At least eight people were injured as Dhaka-bound Karnafuli–3 launch from Bhola caught fire in the middle of the River Meghna in the Majhirchar area in Chandpur on Saturday morning.
Confirming the matter, River Police Chandpur region superintendent Mohammad Kamruzzaman said, ‘Eight people were injured in the launch fire incident as they became panicked and jumped into the driver.’
He said that one of the injured was taken to Dhaka for better treatment.
‘We have sent three teams to the spot. The passengers were shifted to two other launches of the company after evacuation,’ he added.
M/S Brothers Navigation Co manager Md Alauddin said, ‘The fire originated from the engine room of the launch at about 11:00am in the middle of the river in Chandpur. Many passengers got panicked in the incident. The launch was taken to a char in the river.’
‘The turbocharger in the engine got overheated and started emitting smoke, triggering the fire,’ he added.Â
Alauddin said that there were 300 passengers in the launch.
