41 killed in launch fire: Health Secretary

News Desk: 41 people have been killed in a fire that broke out on the launch of MV Abhiyan-10 on the Sugandha river in Jhalokati, said Lokman Hossain Mia, senior secretary at the health ministry. He said 61 people injured in the blaze were admitted to different hospitals. Of these, 48 are undergoing treatment. 17 people have been released with medical treatment.

He was speaking to reporters after seeing the overall condition of patients at the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery at 12:15 pm on Saturday (December 25).

He said 21 of the injured were sent to Dhaka. They were admitted to Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. From there 4 people have been sent home with treatment. Now 15 people are undergoing treatment. Two people have been taken to ICU. One has been shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Another died.

The official said 32 of the injured were being treated in Barisal. An 8-member medical team has been sent. They are giving treatment there. We are monitoring.

Stating that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed for maximum treatment of the injured, he said that all kinds of medical treatment is being provided to the injured. The cost of treatment is being borne by the hospital. He said the hospital would also make arrangements to send the bodies home.

The fire broke out on the MV Abhiyan-10 launch bound for Barguna from Dhaka at around 3pm on Thursday (December 23). Upon receiving the news, the Coast Guard and Fire Service of Barisal, Pirojpur, Barguna and Jhalokati started the rescue operation.

At that time, Deputy Director of Barisal Fire Service Kamal Hossain Bhuiyan said in a briefing that 30 bodies had been recovered. Later, Jhalakati Additional Superintendent of Police Prashant Kumar Dey confirmed the rescue of 39 bodies.

A child named Marjia Akhter died while undergoing treatment at Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital around 1:15 pm. The death toll rose to 40.

Meanwhile, a man named Habib Khan died after being brought to the Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute in Dhaka, bringing the death toll in the launch fire to 41. Of the dead, 38 were residents of Barguna district.

Meanwhile, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury visited Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery to see the victims of the launch fire. He arrived there at 9:55 pm on Friday (December 24). Earlier, Health Minister Zahid Malek visited the hospital in the evening.

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