100 hurt as passengers clash with launch staff

Thirty of the injured were admitted to health complexes and local health centres in Galachipa and Dashmina upazilas.

Police and the victims said double-decker launch MV Russel-1 was going to Rangabali from Dhaka with about 300 passengers. As it reached Char Kazal terminal at about 5:30 am, its staff asked all the passengers to disembark there. Char Kajal is about 50 kilometres from Rangabali.

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As the passengers refuse, the launch staff started forcing them to get down from the vessel.

At one stage, the launch steamed off for Dhaka.

Infuriated passengers started damaging doors, windows and other things.

The victims also claimed that Ansars on board also took the side of launch staff and beat some of the passengers. They also released fire extinguisher gas on passengers.

About 50 people including women and children jumped into the river.

Eight fishing trawlers came to their rescue.

Ten year-old Razina, daughter of Hasem Ali of Rangabali is reportedly missing. Patuakhali Police Superintendent Safiqul Islam however said no one was missing.

Sirajul Islam, an Air Force personnel, filed a case with Dashmina thana on behalf the passengers. Supervisor of the launch also filed another case. Both cases were sent to the Galachipa thana for investigation, police said.