The Shipping Ministry investigation committee formed to probe into the deadly fire on the launch MV Obhijan 10 midriver in Jhalakathi has placed the blame on the four owners, master and drivers of the vessel for the incident that has claimed at least 49 lives so far.
In its probe report submitted to the ministry on Monday night, the panel also condemned the negligence of Department of Shipping (DoS) and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) officials posted at the Sadarghat terminal in discharging their duties.
Besides, the investigation committee also made 25 recommendations to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
The fire originated in the engine room of MV Obhijan 10 in the middle of the Sugandha River off the coast of Jhalakathi Sadar upazila on December 24.
The blaze broke out at 3am on the Barguna-bound vessel carrying around 800 passengers – much higher than its actual capacity – from Dhaka and it engulfed the entire launch within 10 minutes.
