Death toll in suspected robbery attack on vessel rises to 7

The death toll from the suspected robbery attack on a fertiliser-laden vessel has risen to seven after two more crew members succumbed to their injuries on Monday evening while undergoing treatment at Feni General Hospital.

Feni Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mohsin Uddin confirmed the deaths, stating that three critically injured individuals were taken to the hospital, where two later died. The condition of the remaining individual remains critical. The identities of the deceased have not yet been confirmed.

Earlier in the day, River Police recovered five bodies from the MV Al-Bakhera vessel, anchored in the Ishanbala area of the Meghna River. The victims were reportedly killed during a robbery at some point on Sunday night.

Chandpur River Police Superintendent Syed Mushfiqur Rahman said, "We recovered five bodies from different rooms of the vessel. Three injured individuals were sent to the hospital, where two later died."

According to some crew members of nearby vessels, the MV Al-Bakhera, carrying fertiliser, had departed from Chattogram. As it entered the Chandpur river boundary on Sunday night, robbers boarded the vessel and launched a surprise attack. Using sharp weapons, they attacked the crew in separate staff rooms, killing five on the spot.