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Barisal launch capsize: Death toll rises to 18

The launch that capsized in Shandhya River in Barishal was recovered on Thursday morning.The rescuers also recovered bodies of four children in the morning, increasing the number of death toll are 18.The sunken vessel has been recovered around 8:30am, said the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA).On Wednesday, passenger vessel ‘ML Oishee’ capsized around 12pm at Dasherhaat’s Mosjidbarhi terminal in Banariparha Upazila while passengers were boarding it.BIWTA Barisal Port’s official Mostafizur Rahman said a salvage vessel arrived the spot early in the morning and managed to recover the launch after three hours.Bodies of four minors, who are yet to be identified, have been found inside the vessel, he added.The local administration has started a probe. Deputy Commissioner Gazi Md Saifuzzaman said a nine-member investigation committee headed by a magistrate has been formed.