Dhaka, Dec 23 (V7N) —The death toll in the tragic incident involving a fertiliser-laden vessel on the Meghna River in Chandpur rose to seven on Monday afternoon, after two people succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment at Chandpur Upazila Health Complex.
"They died while undergoing treatment at the hospital," said Sudipta Roy, Additional Superintendent of Chandpur Police of the district.
Earlier, police had recovered five bodies and rescued three critically injured individuals from the vessel in the Ishanbala area.
Of the rescued people, two passed away, while the remaining injured person continues to receive treatment at the hospital.
Details about the killings and the identities of the deceased have not yet been confirmed.
However, one of the injured individuals receiving treatment in the hospital has been identified as Jewel, aged 28.
Chandpur Naval Police Superintendent Syed Mushfiqur Rahman informed journalists that the bodies were discovered around 3pm on Monday.
The incident occurred on a ship named MV Al-Bakhera, which was anchored at the time.
Dr Anisul Islam, a doctor at Chandpur Sadar Hospital, told reporters: “Three injured individuals were brought in, and two of them died while undergoing treatment. Their bodies showed signs of injuries in multiple areas.”
Police were informed of the incident via the national emergency service number 999 and reached the scene at around 3pm.
Upon arrival, five bodies were found in five different cabins of the ship.
The remaining three individuals were discovered in a critically injured state.
It has been reported that a total of eight people were on the ship.
Many suspect that the incident might have been a robbery attack carried out by pirates.
END/MSS/AJ
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