DHAKA: At least 26 people were killed when a speedboat packed with passengers collided with a vessel transporting sand on Monday in the latest maritime disaster to hit Bangladesh. Police said the speedboat carrying about three dozen passengers from the town of Mawa rammed into the other vessel in the Padma river as it neared the main river station in the central rural town of Shibchar. Police official Amir Hossain said they recovered 26 bodies and rescued five injured people including three children. Hossain said the bow of the passenger boat was destroyed when the speedboat smashed into the side of the transport vessel, sinking in the river in minutes. Witness Abdur Rahman said there was a loud noise when the boats collided and the vessels then overturned. Bangladesh is building the country’s largest road and railway bridge near the accident spot and police said officers were immediately at the scene.
