DHAKA, Dec 25, 2021 (BSS) - The death toll from the fire incident at a
Barguna-bound launch on the Sugandha River in Jhalakathi rose to 40 as
another injured passenger died last night at a city hospital.

  The victim, Habib Khan, 45, was declared dead at around 11:45 pm yesterday
at the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Dr SM
Aiyub Hossain, Police inspector of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH)
outpost Bachchu Mia told BSS.

  A total of 37 bodies were recovered from the spot and another burn injured
child died while undergoing treatment at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College
Hospital in Barishal on Friday, said police.

  Another injured person died at Mawa ferry terminal on his way to a hospital
in Dhaka, they added.

  Habib, a shopkeeper by profession, hailed from Tetulbaria village of
Barguna Sadar upazila. The victim and his wife Sayera Begum had been to Dhaka
to visit their son in Tongi one week ago, and were on their way back home on
the ill-fated launch.

  Sayera Begum said, "When the fire broke out, we jumped from the launch but
my husband got injured."

  He was later taken to Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital from
where he was shifted to Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic
Surgery for better treatment. He succumbed to his injuries while getting
treatment at the hospital, she added.

  As of now, a total of 21 people were brought to the Sheikh Hasina National
Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery (SHNIBPS), who were injured in the fire
at a Barguna-bound launch on the Sugandha River in Jhalakathi, chief
coordinator of SHNIBPS Samantalal Sen told journalists.

  Among them, four people have returned home after taking treatment, one died
last night, one was transferred to casualty department and the rest 15 are
now undergoing treatment, he added.

  Meanwhile, a team of coast guard and another team of divers of Jhalakathi
and Barishal fire service have been conducting rescue operation to find out
the missing passengers. The operation will continue till 8pm today, said
Deputy Director of Jhalakathi fire service Md Kamal Uddin Bhuiyan.

  "We'll continue the rescue operation for 2 or 3 more days as we do not know
the actual number of missing people from the launch who were onboard," said
Jhalakathi Deputy Commissioner Md Joror Ali.