Dhaka, Dec. 24 (BNA) A massive fire broke out on a crowded river ferry in Bangladesh early Friday morning, killing at least 39 people and injuring 70 others, officials said. The Associated Press (AP) reported that several passengers jumped from the boat into cold water to escape the fire.
Firefighting officer Kamaluddin Boyan, who led the rescue operation, said it took 15 hours to bring the fire under control, and another 8 to cool the boat. Next, the black hull of the ferry sat on the edge of the river. Several anxious relatives gathered on the banks, while divers continued to search the waters.
Officials said the fire broke out around 3 a.m. on board the MV Avijan-10, which was carrying 800 passengers, many of whom were traveling to visit family and friends on the weekend.
“I was sleeping on the deck and woke up to hear loud screaming and noise,” survivor Ansour Rahman told reporters, adding that he saw smoke rising from the back of the ferry. “I jumped into the freezing waters of the river in the thick fog, like many other passengers, and swam to the river bank.”
Police officer Moin-ul-Haq said rescuers recovered 37 bodies from the river, while two people died of burn injuries on their way to hospital. All 70 injured people were taken to hospital, some with severe burns.
Ferries are a leading mode of transport in Bangladesh, crisscrossed by about 130 rivers, and accidents involving ships are common, often attributed to overcrowding or lax safety rules.
The ferry was traveling from Dhaka, the capital, to Barguna, about 250 kilometers (155 miles) to the south. A fire blazed off the coast of Jhalokati District on the Sugandha River, at the end of the voyage.
Pouyanne said the fire may have broken out in the engine room. The government formed two committees to investigate the fire and ordered them to report on their findings within three days.
In April, 25 people were killed after a ferry collided with another ship and capsized outside Dhaka.
AOQ