As of now, 32 people, including 8 women and 3 children, have been killed when a launch namedMorning Bird sank in the capital’s Buriganga River after being hit by another launch. ASK is deeply saddened by this incident. Besides, it demands immediate legal punishment for those involved in the incident, subject to an impartial investigation.

According to media reports, the launch named ML Morning Bird left the Kathpatti area of Munshiganj for Sadarghat on 29 June 2020 at around 9 am. The launch sank in the river nearFarashganj Ghat near Sadarghat. Another launch named Mayur-2 was heading towards Chandpurfrom Sadarghat Lalpatti. That launch hit the Morning Bird. As a result, the Morning Bird launch sank with more than 50 passengers on board. An operation is underway to rescue the missing persons. The Mayur-2 launch has been seized. However, the driver of the launch has escaped.

This heartbreaking and tragic incident during the Corona crisis has caused grief and extreme anger among all. The State Minister for Shipping has already told the media that the incident was intentional; that this was a premeditated murder and not an accident. ASK believes that this is not an isolated incident, but rather due to the lack of rule of law, accountability and justice at every level of society, some people are getting the audacity to behave in such a reckless manner.ASK expresses deep sympathy to the aggrieved families. At the same time, ASK strongly demands immediate legal action against those responsible for the incident, subject to an impartial investigation.