Moored Launch Sinks at Chormain Ghat

A moored passenger launch, Manik-4, sank on Wednesday afternoon at Chormain Ghat in Chormain Ghat after tilting sharply due to a sudden drop in river water levels during the ebb tide. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the incident.

According to launch operators, the vessel had arrived early in the morning from Munshiganj District after completing an overnight journey. The launch reached Chormain Ghat at dawn and had already disembarked all passengers before being securely moored at the terminal.

Witnesses and local workers said that the situation changed rapidly as the tide began to recede around midday. The falling water level caused the stern of the vessel to settle unevenly on the riverbed, disrupting its balance. Within a short time, the launch began to list heavily to one side before gradually sinking.

Observers alleged that the vessel may not have been adequately secured to the jetty or properly stabilised after docking. As the river water continued to withdraw, the stern became increasingly grounded, while the bow remained partially afloat for a brief period before also submerging.

Although no passengers or crew members were on board at the time, some materials belonging to religious attendees stored inside the vessel were reportedly damaged. Authorities have not yet provided a detailed assessment of the financial loss.

Officials associated with the Chormain gathering coordination confirmed the sequence of events. They stated that the launch was empty when moored and that the incident occurred solely due to the natural ebb of the river, rather than any collision or external impact. However, they acknowledged that proper mooring procedures may require further review.

Incident summary

The incident has drawn attention to river navigation safety and mooring practices in tidal zones, where sudden fluctuations in water levels can pose serious risks to stationary vessels. Local authorities are expected to conduct an inspection to determine whether improper anchoring contributed to the sinking and whether the vessel can be salvaged.