Fire on launch: 10-year-old dies, father burnt, grandfather missing

Ten-year-old Taifa died in the fire that broke out at the MV Abhijan-10 launch on the Sugandha River near Jhalakathi Sadar upazila early today.

Her father Bashir Uddin sustained burn injuries in the incident and is undergoing treatment at Barishal Sher-e Bangla Medical College Hospital.

Taifa's grandfather Ali Shikder, a cancer patient, remains missing since he jumped into the river, reports our Patuakhali correspondent.

They were residents of Roadpara village in Keurabunia union in Barguna Sadar, said Barguna Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge KM Tariqul Islam.

Taifa's relatives said Bashir along with her and her father went to Dhaka for Shikder's treatment. After the treatment, they boarded the Barguna-bound MV Abhijan-10 launch yesterday afternoon.

At least 35 people were killed after a fire broke out on the launch on the Sugandha River near Jhalakathi Sadar upazila early today.