In a tragic incident early on Wednesday, 25 March, a small trawler carrying watermelons sank following a collision with a double-decker launch on the Lohalia River in Baufal, Patuakhali. Two workers lost their lives in the accident, while others on board managed to reach the riverbank safely.
The deceased have been identified as Rezaul Karim, aged 28, from Char Latsahib in Rangabali, and Nasir Uddin Fakir, aged 42, from Chbestin, also in Rangabali. Both men were engaged in transporting watermelons from their local area towards Dhaka.
According to eyewitnesses, the trawler set off from Rangabali in the early hours, loaded with freshly harvested watermelons. As it approached the Bamnikkathi point on the Lohalia River, the MV Awlad-7, a launch operating on the Dhaka–Patuakhali route, struck the trawler. The collision caused the trawler to capsize instantly. While several passengers managed to swim to safety, Rezaul Karim and Nasir Uddin Fakir drowned before help could arrive.
Local residents reported that the accident occurred under conditions of dense fog, reducing visibility on the river. Most of the trawler’s passengers were asleep at the time of the collision, leaving the vessel’s operator as the only person alert. This combination of poor visibility and sleeping passengers contributed to the severity of the incident.
Al-Mamun, the officer-in-charge of the Kalaiya Port River Police, confirmed the fatalities and stated that a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the collision is underway. He added that legal action would be taken against any parties found negligent.
Experts note that small trawlers carrying heavy loads, such as watermelons, are particularly vulnerable to capsizing when struck by larger vessels. Nighttime or early-morning river travel combined with dense fog significantly increases the risk of accidents. Authorities have urged boat operators to exercise caution and adhere to safety regulations to prevent similar tragedies.
Summary of Incident
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | 25 March |
| Time | Early morning |
| Location | Lohalia River, Bamnikkathi, Baufal, Patuakhali |
| Vessel 1 | Watermelon trawler |
| Vessel 2 | MV Awlad-7 (double-decker launch) |
| Casualties | 2 dead (Rezaul Karim, 28; Nasir Uddin Fakir, 42) |
| Injured | None reported |
| Cause | Collision under dense fog, passengers mostly asleep |
| Investigation | Ongoing by Kalaiya Port River Police |
Authorities are currently reviewing the safety measures in place for river transport in the area and are expected to issue recommendations to improve navigational safety on the Lohalia River.
