Meghna Collision: Route Permits for ‘MV Adventure-9’ and ‘MV Zakir Samrat-3’ Cancelled; Case to be Filed in Marine Court

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has taken a stern stance following the head-on collision between the launches ‘MV Adventure-9’ and ‘MV Zakir Samrat-3’ on the Meghna River. In addition to canceling the route permits of both vessels, the authorities have decided to file a case in the Marine Court against those responsible.

On Friday (December 26), Rear Admiral Arif Ahmed Mostafa, Chairman of BIWTA, confirmed the developments to journalists. He stated that the route permits of the two launches were temporarily suspended on Thursday night. A high-level investigation committee has been formed to determine the cause of the accident, and the process of filing a lawsuit in the Marine Court is currently underway.

Meanwhile, Shipping Advisor M. Sakhawat Hossain visited the damaged ‘MV Zakir Samrat-3’ at the Sadarghat terminal on Friday. After inspecting the vessel and the site, he provided necessary directives to officials and expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims.

The accident occurred on Thursday night (December 25) near the Horina area of Chandpur on the Meghna River amidst dense fog. The horrific collision has resulted in at least four deaths so far. The bodies of the deceased are currently kept at the Sadarghat terminal in Dhaka.