Launch capsize: 5 more bodies recovered from Shitalakkhya, death toll now 34

Five more bodies were recovered from Shitalakkhya river this morning, after Sunday's passenger launch capsize.

The bodies started floating near Koilaghat area in the river from 6:00am. River police searched and recovered five bodies till 10:30am, said Mina Mahmuda, superintendent of River Police in Narayanganj.

With them, the death toll rose to 34. Two persons are still missing, police said.

The identities of the five could not be known immediately.

The launch named Sabit Al Hasan left Narayanganj Launch Terminal for Munshiganj with nearly 50 passengers around 5:56pm on Sunday. Around 15 minutes later, it sank near the third Shitalakkhya Bridge at Koylaghat of Syedpur area when it was hit and dragged by a tanker.

Immediately after the accident, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), Fire Service and Civil Defence, Coast Guard and Police joined the rescue operation.