Fatal Launch Collision Claims Four Lives on Meghna River

A tragic accident on the Meghna River early on December 27, 2025, resulted in the deaths of four passengers and left 15 others injured. The incident occurred when two launches collided in dense fog, prompting immediate responses from local river police. The victims were identified as passengers aboard the MV Zakir Samrat-3, which was severely damaged in the crash.

Details of the Collision

The fatal collision took place around 2 AM in the Nilkamal Bangla Bazar area of Haimchar upazila, Chandpur. According to Chandpur River Police Officer-in-Charge ASM Iqbal, the MV Zakir Samrat-3 was en route from Ghosherhat in Bhola to Dhaka when it was struck by the MV Adventure-9, which was carrying passengers returning to Barishal from a BNP conference in Dhaka. The poor visibility caused by thick fog contributed to the accident, as the Adventure-9 reportedly lost its bearings and collided with the Zakir Samrat-3 at high speed.

The deceased have been identified as Abdul Gani, 38; Md Saju, 45; Rina, 35; and Md Hanif, 60, all of whom were passengers on the MV Zakir Samrat-3. Following the collision, the launch began to sink in the river, but many passengers were rescued by another vessel, the MV Karnaphuli-9, which arrived shortly after the incident. River police arrived at the scene around 2:45 AM but found no vessels present, as both launches had left the area. Later, the Adventure-9 was seized while traveling from Barishal.

Chandpur region River Police Assistant Superintendent Imtiaz Ahmed confirmed the current death toll stands at four. He also mentioned that Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, the Shipping Adviser, is scheduled to visit Sadarghat to inspect the damaged launch involved in the accident.

Additional Incidents and Responses

In a separate incident around midnight, another launch, the MV M Khan-7, which was traveling from Dhaka to Barishal, was damaged in a collision with the Chandpur-bound launch Eagle-4. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in this incident. The MV M Khan-7 was carrying approximately 300 passengers when it was struck near Amirabad in Chandpur. The collision resulted in damage to the launch’s tax bin and sewer pipes, but all passengers were unharmed.

Following the incident, the MV M Khan-7 safely reached Barishal River Port, where it is currently docked for repairs. The extent of the damage to the Eagle-4 has not yet been assessed. Barishal River Police Officer-in-Charge Asim Kumar Sikder confirmed they are investigating the accidents and have received reports of casualties from the Meghna River incidents.

Efforts to contact officials at the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) for further information were unsuccessful, as calls went unanswered. The tragic events highlight the ongoing safety concerns regarding river transport in the region, especially during adverse weather conditions.