3 years of Sugandha tragedy: Memories of losing loved ones still afresh

Today is the third anniversary of the Abhiyan 10 launch fire in Jhalakathi's Sugandha River. 49 passengers lost their lives in the worst launch accident in recorded history. Even though three years have passed since the horrific Sugandha tragedy, the memories of that night are still vivid in the minds of the victims. Many families have lost their only income earner and are now living in extreme uncertainty. The Deputy Commissioner assured the rehabilitation of helpless and destitute families through various government projects.

The Barguna-bound Abhiyan 10 launch left Dhaka on the afternoon of December 23, 2021. The launch reached Jhalakathi's Sugandha River in the early hours of December 24, when many were fast asleep. Suddenly, a fire broke out in the engine room. Within moments, the fire engulfed the entire launch. The intensity of the fire was so intense that the driver lost control of the launch. Many people jumped into the river to save their lives. 49 people, including passengers in the cabin room who were fast asleep, were killed in the fire. After the incident, 25 bodies were handed over to their relatives, but 24 unidentified people were buried in the Potkakhali mass grave in Barguna Sadar Upazila. After that, the CID's forensic department collected samples of 51 people in order to identify the 24 bodies buried unidentified. Of these 24 people, 16 were identified in the CID's DNA test. Some lost their brothers, some their sisters, some their parents, and some their beloved children in this accident. Even after 3 years of the fire, the memories of losing their loved ones are still burning in the relatives.

On the day of the fire in the launch, Riaz Hawlader of Kazirabad Union of Betagi Upazila was coming to Barguna to see his newly born child. He died after being burned in the launch accident in the Sugandha River. Mukta Akhter, the wife of the family, was left speechless after losing her husband, Riaz Howlader, the only breadwinner in the family. She is now spending her days in misery with her two children and in-laws. A dark cloud of sadness has descended on their lives since losing her husband.

Mukta Akhter said, 'My son Poada lost his father soon after his birth. We are losing our means of survival. His father (Riyaz Howlader) used to take care of the food and clothing of the children (boys), the upkeep of the in-laws. Now, there is no one for us. The children are growing up and the expenses are increasing. Some people have given many assurances, but none of them have worked. Even though we have provided some assistance from the DC office, no one has looked after us. As the days go by, the days of hardship are getting harder.'

Md. mHasanur Rahman Jhantu, convener of the Barguna Public Policy Forum said 'The people of the southern region have never seen such a big launch fire. Some have lost their parents, some have lost their brothers and sisters, some have lost their beloved children in this fire. There are many families whose only income-generating person has died in this fire. Although these families have been given nominal assistance, no permanent initiative has been taken for their rehabilitation. The relevant government department will be required to list the helpless and destitute families and arrange for their official rehabilitation.'

Barguna Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shafiul Alam said, 'Every family that was killed and injured has been provided official assistance. Even then, arrangements will be made to rehabilitate the destitute and helpless families killed in this horrific launch accident of the past century through various government projects.'