A case was filed on Thursday with the South Keraniganj police station against five individuals following the tragic death of five people, including three members of a family, in a launch accident at Sadarghat Launch Terminal earlier in the day.

The case was lodged against five staff members of MV Farhan-6 and MV Tasrif-4 on charges of negligence, reckless driving, and use of old rope, as stated in the case report.

Muhammad Ismail Hossain, Joint Director of the Traffic Management Department at Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), filed the case as the plaintiff.

The named defendants include Abdur Rouf Talukder (54), the first-class master of MV Farhan-6; Md Selim Hawlader (54), the second-class master of MV Farhan-6; and Md Faruk Khan (70), the manager of MV Farhan-6. Additionally, the accused from MV Tasrif-4 are Md Mizanur Rahman (43), the first-class master, and Md Moniruzzaman (27), the second-class master.

The accident occurred around 3:00 pm when MV Farhan-6 attempted to maneuver between two anchored launches, MV Tasrif-4 and MV Pubali-1, at pontoon 11, according to naval police and BIWTA officials.

It was reported that the anchor rope of MV Tasrif-4 snapped and struck the victims while they were boarding the launch. The injured individuals were rushed to Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital, where they were pronounced dead by attending doctors.

The deceased individuals, identified in the case report, are Md Belal (30), his wife Mukta, and their three-year-old daughter Maisha from Mathbaria, Pirojpur; Rabiul (19) from Thakurgaon; and Ripon Hawlader (38) from Patuakhali.

Modasser Hossain, Duty Officer of South Keraniganj police station, confirmed that the accused are currently in custody under naval police supervision.