Fire on launch: Pathorghata UNO, wife narrowly escape death

Pathorghata Upazila Nirbahi Officer Hossain Mohammad Al Mujahid and his wife who were onboard the MV Abhijan-10 narrowly escaped the fire that caught the launch early today.

Mujahid and his wife Ummul Wara had to jump from the third floor of the launch to save themselves. Wara, however, sustained injuries in her right leg while jumping from the launch.

Both of them are now undergoing treatment at the Jhalakathi General Hospital, UNO Mujahid told The Daily Star on his mobile phone.

"I boarded the launch for Barguna yesterday evening. Around 3:00 am, I woke up to see passengers on the launch screaming and there was smoke all around".

"The launch was in the middle of the river at that time. Many were seen trying to jump into the river to survive. We also jumped from the third floor of the launch but fell on the second floor," he said.

"My wife suffered injuries in her right leg. Locals rescued us from the river and took us to Jhalakathi General Hospital," he added.

At least 37 passengers were killed after a fire broke out in the engine room of the launch on the Sugandha River near Jhalakathi Sadar upazila early today.

Firefighters recovered 29 burnt bodies and six others were floating in the river.