At least 10 persons sustained injuries and the ferry services on Mawa-Kawrakandi route across the Padma river remained suspended for four hours after Ro-Ro ferry 'Shah Mokhdum' caught fire yesterday.
Staff of six ferries doused the fire at about 4:00am after three hours of frantic efforts.
A four-member investigation committee with BIWTC Director (Admin) Dr Gyanrajan Shil has been formed to investigate the incident.
According to BIWTC officials, Shah Mokhdum ran aground with 21 vehicles on board during a nor'wester around 11:00pm Friday after it reached Hazra.
A salvage vessel started work to rescue Shah Mokhdum midnight.
But fire broke out in the engine room of the ferry suddenly at about 1:00am Saturday.
The ferry staff tried to douse the blaze using fire extinguishers but the fire spread fast to the master bridge and passenger shed on third floor due to strong wind, halting ferry services on the route.
The passengers jumped into the river to save their lives and swam ashore.
Ferry services on the route resumed around 4:00am after staff of six other ferries doused the blaze.
The ferry was taken to Kawrakandi and unloaded around 5:00am. Later, it was sent to Mawa floating workshop.
The damage caused by the fire might go up to Tk 1 crore, claimed Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) officials.
Meanwhile, a passenger died after falling from the rooftop of another ferry, Ranikhet, at Kawrakandi when he tried to get down hurriedly during the storm Friday night.
daily star
