A launch carrying around 1,000 passengers remains stuck in a shoal in Meghna river near Barishal’s Mehendiganj upazila since early today, reports Bangla Daily Prothom Alo.

The Dhaka-bound launch from Barguna named ‘M V Shahrukh-2’ ran aground in the char along Kaliganj area around 3:00am, causing immense sufferings to the passengers.

M V Shahrukh-2 started from Barguna river port around 4:00pm yesterday, Prothom Alo adds.

“Unskilled driver accidentally hit the char while crossing Kaliganj channel,” Masud Shikder, one of the passengers on the launch, alleged while talking to the Bangla Daily.

Another passenger Monir Chowdhury said they were facing immense sufferings as the launch remains stuck in the middle of the river. The launch authorities were taking advantage of the situation by increasing prices for the foods available at the canteen of the vessel, he alleged.