Munshiganj (South) Correspondent

A passenger from a launch anchored at the Hatlakshmiganj launch terminal in Munshiganj town has gone missing after falling into the Dhaleshwari River from the pontoon. 

The Fire Service and naval police have been working all day to rescue the missing passenger.

Md. Shafiqul Islam, Assistant Deputy Director of Munshiganj Fire Service, confirmed that the person has not been rescued as of 5 PM. He stated, "There is a strong current in the river, and the water is very deep where the person went missing, which is making it very difficult for the diving team to find him." He added, "Besides searching underwater, we are also searching on the surface of the water to see if the missing passenger has floated up anywhere."

The passenger went missing around 2 AM on Sunday night. The missing passenger is Rafiqul Islam (30), son of Rafiqul Islam of Dewanpur village, Tajumuddin Upazila, Bhola.

Police and relatives of the missing passenger stated that the passenger launch Farhan-3 was en route from Tajumuddin, Bhola, to Sadarghat, Dhaka. It anchored at the Munshiganj launch terminal around 2 AM on Sunday night for a stopover. At this time, Rafiqul Islam, along with a few others, got off the launch to see off another passenger named Sohail. While returning to board the launch after seeing off Sohail, Rafiqul fell into the river from the pontoon.

Md. Kamrul Hasan, Assistant Director of BIWTA's Narayanganj branch, said, "The BIWTA and Fire Service diving team are conducting rescue operations at the spot indicated by eyewitnesses. However, the river's depth is approximately 120 feet and there is a strong current, which is hindering the rescue efforts. The rescue operation will continue until the missing person is found."