An 11-year-old boy was killed and two other children were injured after a bulk carrier collided with a ferry on the Meghna River in Bangladesh on Friday morning.
The accident occurred at around 9am on the Berachakki Channel along the Shariatpur-Chandpur waterway. The deceased child was identified as Tarikul Islam, a resident of Damudya Upazila in Shariatpur district.
According to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) and eyewitnesses, a ferry named Kakoli was travelling from Chandpur towards the Narsinghapur ferry terminal in Shariatpur. After crossing the main stretch of the Meghna River, the ferry was entering the Berachakki Channel when a bulk carrier struck it forcefully from behind.
The impact caused several passengers standing on the ferry to lose their balance and fall. During the incident, Tarikul sustained a severe head injury after colliding with a bus parked on the ferry. He died at the scene. Two other children were also injured in the collision.
The sudden impact reportedly created panic among passengers, many of whom were standing on the ferry at the time. The incident once again drew attention to the safety risks faced by passengers travelling on busy inland waterways, particularly where ferries and commercial vessels operate along the same routes.
Following the collision, river police seized the bulk carrier and detained two people in connection with the incident. Police reached the scene after being informed and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Iqbal Hossain, deputy manager of BIWTC’s Narsinghapur ferry terminal, said the bulk carrier struck the ferry from behind as it was entering the channel.
He said several passengers who were standing on the ferry lost their balance following the impact. One child suffered a fatal head injury after hitting a bus on board.
The incident was subsequently reported to the police, who began an investigation at the scene, he added.
The Meghna is one of Bangladesh’s major inland waterways and serves as an important route for passenger and goods transportation. Ferries regularly carry passengers and vehicles across the river, while bulk carriers transport commercial cargo along the same network. The movement of different types of vessels through shared channels makes careful navigation and compliance with maritime safety rules essential.
Collisions involving ferries and commercial vessels can put passengers at serious risk, particularly when people are standing on open decks or near vehicles. Maintaining safe distances, controlling vessel speeds and following navigation procedures are important measures for preventing such incidents.
Police are investigating the collision, while the seizure of the bulk carrier and detention of two people are expected to assist the inquiry. Further details about the cause of the accident and the responsibility of those involved are yet to be established.
