The shipping ministry and water transport authorities have opened separate inquires over the deadly fire at a launch mid-river in Jhalakathi.
The ministry has formed a seven-member panel, headed by Joint Secretary Tofail Islam, to look into the incident.
The panel has been told to submit its findings within three business days, ministry spokesperson Jahangir Alam Khan said.
It includes representatives from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), Shipping Department, River Police, Jhalakathi district administration and the fire service, he said.
The BIWTA has also opened a probe into the fatal fire.
A six-member committee has been formed. Md Saiful Islam, its additional director of the port and transportation division, will head it.
The three-storey launch, “Obhijan 10” caught fire around 3am on the Sugandha River.
Fifteen units of firefighters subsequently tamed the blaze around 5:20 am, with the assistance of the Coast Guard, police and local volunteers.
The launch was about 1.5 km away from the Jhalakathi launch terminal when the fire erupted.
Many passengers jumped into the river in a bid to save their lives as the fire raged for about three hours. Survivors said the launch was packed with passengers.
Rescuers have recovered 37 bodies so far from the charred launch. Officials said the death toll was likely to rise. More than 70 people have been hospitalized with injuries.
The fire service said they suspect the blaze originated in the engine room and ripped through the launch.
