Ferry disasters due to ‘profit craze’ of owners: Hasina

PM-InnerPrime Minister Sheikh Hasina has blamed the ‘profit craze’ among vessel owners as responsible for most ferry disasters in Bangladesh.

“Launches sink in moderate storms, this cannot go on. These should be designed in a manner that it can float at any condition,” Hasina said during a meeting with the shipping ministry’s officials at the Secretariat on Sunday.

“The accidents happen because vessels are designed to take in more passengers but not keeping in mind how they would survive a storm,” she added.

Hasina also emphasised on proper training for ferry captains.
PM-Inner
Referring to the Pinak-6 ferry disaster at the river Padma in Munshiganj, she said: “It is a very unfortunate incident. The ferry went down with the people in front of a lot of people. I am sure that there were no lifebuoys or any safety arrangements for passengers.”

She instructed ministry officials to tackle the issue of river pollution and encroachment.

“No one should be allowed to encroach on rivers and cause pollution. It made me really sad when the last time I went to see river Buriganga. I had travelled through this river numerous times but now it’s so polluted that the water stinks.”

bdnews24

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