The bodies of five women were recovered after a Munshiganj-bound launch, carrying over 50 passengers, capsized in the Shitalakkhya river in Narayanganj yesterday.

The bodies were recovered at different times after the launch capsized in the evening, said Nahida Barek, upazila nirbahi officer of Narayanganj Sadar upazila.

Four of the deceased were identified as Sukhina, 45, Protima Sharma, 53, Sunita Saha, 40 and Sauda Akter Lata, 18. Their bodies were handed over to their families, the UNO said.

Babu Lal Baidya, assistant director of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) at Narayanganj Launch Terminal, said the launch named Sabit Al Hasan left Narayanganj Launch Terminal for Munshiganj with nearly 50 passengers at 5:56pm.

The launch sank near the third Shitalakkhya Bridge at Koylaghat of Syedpur area when it was hit by a tanker, he said.

Talking to this correspondent, family and relatives, who were at the spot, claimed that 10 passengers of the launch were missing since the incident.

Witnesses said locals rescued 30 passengers of the 50 from the spot.

However, authorities are yet to comment over the number of missing people.

Chandra Saha, officer-in-charge of Bandar Police Station, told The Daily Star over phone from the spot that some 15-16 people were rescued from the east bank of the river till 10:00pm. Of them, eight were given first aid and three others are receiving treatment at hospitals.

Rescue operations were still underway when this report was filed around 2:00am today.

BIWTA Chairman Golam Sadeq earlier told The Daily Star that they were initially not able to conduct rescue operations due to inclement weather, although Rescue Ship Prattay and divers were ready.

On information, fire service teams rushed to the spot and started the rescue operation with two trawlers, Abdullah Arefin, deputy assistant director of Fire Service and Civil Defence in Narayanganj told The Daily Star.

The fire service official also said rescue operations were being hampered due to bad weather.

Dipu, one passenger who managed to come ashore with the help of a trawler, said the tanker vessel pushed the passenger launch to Koylaghat area and the launch capsized there.

Dipu told our Narayanganj correspondent that he managed to come ashore but his mother remains missing.

Meanwhile, members of Bangladesh Coast Guard also started their rescue operation in the river, according to a message issued by the coast guard sent to media tonight.

2 probe committees formed

Two separate probe committees have been formed to investigate the incident.

Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Mostain Billah has formed a seven-member probe committee, led by Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Khadija Tahera Boby, said UNO Nahida Barek.

The BIWTA formed a four-member investigation committee, led by BIWTA director (Maritime Security) Rafiqul Islam, as per the direction of BIWTA Chairman Commodore Golam Sadeq.

The Narayanganj DC also asked the concerned officials to provide Tk 25,000 for the burial of each deceased, added the UNO.