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Kishoreganj launch mishap death toll rises to 19

UNB, Kishoreganj
The death toll in Saturday night's launch capsize in the Nagchini river near Chamra river port in Karimganj upazila rose to 19 with recovery of 17 more bodies yesterday.
Two bodies were recovered shortly after the accident. Rescuers said and apprehended that the death toll could rise as over 50 people were still missing.
The double-decker launch, MV Sharifpur, capsized about one kilometer off the river port after being caught in
violent storm that also swept four villages of Karimganj and Mithamoin upazilas of the district at about 7.45 pm.
Witnesses said the launch sailed for Chamra river port from Sherpur in Sylhet district with over 200 passengers aboard. Witnesses said 140 people swam ashore or were rescued by local fishermen after the accident.
Bodies of two people were recovered by local people at midnight Saturday while rescuers found 17
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bodies, including of a local journalist, floating in the river yesterday.
Eight of the victims were identified as Karimganj correspondent of Daily Bhorer Dak Rafiqul Haq Sabuj, 26, Mithamoin upazila Primary Teachers Association President Refayetullah Angur, 40, Abdul Aziz, 35, of Bagadia, Azizul, 32, of Baldia, Arzu, 15, of Boirati, Hanif, 45, of Madhobpur, Sarol, 18, of Kiraton and Moti Mia, 40, of Rashidabad village.
A six-member team of divers from Dhaka reached the spot late in the night and started a massive search. Police and divers were trying to locate the sunken launch. A BIWTA rescue team was due to reach the spot last night.
"Hundreds of anxious people gathered on the riverbanks looking for their near and dear ones," police said giving an eyewitness account of the scene.
Education Minister Dr Osman Faruque and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Abdul Hamid Advocate visited the spot. This was a second major ferry mishap this month after a ferryboat accident in the Surma wherein 82 people died. The boat collided with a barge and sank in the river near Chatak in Sunamganj district early this month.
Meanwhile, over 200 people were injured and 3,000 houses damaged in two upazilas -- Karimganj and Mithamoin -- in Saturday night's tornado.
Of the injured, 40 were admitted to Karimganj Upazila Health Complex, 16 to Kishoreganj Adhunik Sadar Hospital and two each to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital and Bhagolpur Zahurul Islam Medical College Hospital.