7-murder on cargo vessel: Grieving families look for answers

The wails of grieving families filled the air at the 25-bed General Hospital at Chandpur Sadar this morning, as relatives came to identify and collect the bodies of their loved ones — victims of a brutal attack on a cargo ship on the Meghna River.

The tragic murders of seven individuals, all crewmembers of MV Al-Bakhera, has left their families devastated and in shock, with many suspecting the killings were premeditated. 

Amid the chaos and tears, Enayet Hossain Tushar, brother-in-law of victim Aminul Munshi, struggled to put his grief into words while talking to The Business Standard over a phone call at around 12pm.

"If pirates were behind this, they would have looted valuables like wallets or mobile phones. But this was no ordinary crime — it felt like a premeditated murder. Otherwise, the killings wouldn't have been so brutal. We demand swift delivery of justice so that no family has to endure this pain," he said.

Saying he arrived at the hospital and identified Aminul's body on Monday, Tushar said law enforcement agencies are yet to determine whether the gruesome murders were committed by pirates or due to prior enmity. "Hopefully, they will figure it out as soon as possible."

Seven people were murdered as the fertiliser-laden lighter vessel, going to Sirajganj from Chattogram, with eight people onboard came under an attack in the Meghna River in Chandpur early Monday or the previous night.

MV Al-Bakhera, owned by HP Enterprise, was found on the river in the Ishanbala area of Majherchar under Haimchar upazila by river police and coast guard Monday afternoon. Five of the crewmen were found dead on the vessel.

Three others with critical injuries were rescued and rushed to the Chandpur hospital where two of them succumbed. The other injured crewman was sent to Dhaka for treatment.

The deceased were identified as the vessel's master Golam Kibria, driver Salauddin Molla, greaser Sajibul Islam, lascars Sheikh Sabuj, Rana, Majedul Islam, and Aminul Islam Munshi. The lone survivor has been identified as Jewel.

The Ministry of Industries has launched an investigation with a four-member committee formed to uncover the truth behind the heinous crime.

The committee was instructed to submit a report within the next five working days with clear recommendations on the cause of the killings, the extent of damage and liability, and what to do in the future to prevent similar naval accidents.

However, as of this afternoon, no case had been filed.

The sight of the hospital's morgue became heart-wrenching after family members of the deceased came to identify and receive the bodies. Families clung to each other, weeping uncontrollably as they faced the grim reality of their loss.

Sabuj's younger brother Rezaul Karim rushed from Faridpur Monday night to identify his elder brother and uncle, both victims of the attack.

Fighting back tears, he shared, "When I saw the bodies, it was clear this was a planned killing. My brother and uncle did not deserve to die this way. We just want justice."

Chandpur river police Officer-in-Charge (OC) AKMS Iqbal assured, "We are investigating the matter thoroughly. If the families do not file a case, the police will. The perpetrators will not escape justice."

The bodies of the seven deceased were to be handed over to their families by the hospital this afternoon after autopsies.

The weight of loss became unbearable for many as they received the bodies one by one.

Syed Mushfiqur Rahman, Chandpur region SP of the river police, on Monday told TBS that river police and Coast Guard personnel arrived at the scene around 3pm after receiving a call to the national emergency helpline 999.

He said they suspect previous enmity behind the incident as the ship's cargo was left untouched by the attackers.

However, Lt Commander Takiul Ahsan, commander of the coast guard's Chandpur station, said they suspect the casualties occurred after the vessel was attacked by an organised gang of pirates when it was on its way to Sirajganj's Baghabari.

He said they found the eight people on the ship in their respective cabins, lying under shawls or blankets. "From the outside, it seemed as if they were all asleep. However, closer inspection revealed that each of them had severe head injuries."

Media reports said all eight victims had sharp weapon wounds on their bodies and some of them even had their throats slit. 

Jewel, the lone survivor – after being taken to the hospital, had to write his name on a piece of paper as he could not speak due to a partial cut on his throat.