The River Police has detained five people over the deaths of five people, including a woman and child, in an accident at the Sadarghat Launch Terminal in Dhaka.
The detainees are two launch masters (drivers) and the manager of MV Farhan-6 and two masters of MV Tasrif-4, the Shipping Ministry said in a statement on Thursday evening.
The ministry has also revoked the route permits and schedules of the launches.
Nusrat Adib Luna, Superintendent of River Police, confirmed the detentions. She said they will be shown arrested after a case is filed.
The ministry has also given Tk25,000 for burial of each of the deceased.
Earlier in the day, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) formed a three-member probe body to investigate the incident.
Earlier around 2:54 pm, Billal, 25, his wife Mukta, 26, their daughter Maisha, 3, Ripon Howlader, 38, and Robiul, 19, died on the spot after the rope of a launch snapped at the terminal.
"Two launches, MV Tusharif 4 and MV Pubali 1, were tied to the pontoon with ropes. When another launch named Farhan 4 tried to enter between the two launches, the rope of MV Tusharif 4 tore."
On impact, four people died on the spot and the child on the way to the hospital, said Alamgir Kabir, joint director of BIWTA and incharge of Sadarghat river port.
