The MV Sugandha launch, operating on the Dhaka-Hatia route, became stranded on a river shoal after being caught in a storm early Tuesday, March 17, 2026. The vessel, carrying more than a hundred passengers, has remained stuck for about 15 hours near Charbhairabi area before reaching Ilisha Ghat. Despite the tide rising, low water levels prevented the launch from floating again.

Passengers reported severe hardship and lack of assistance, saying that even after informing the Coast Guard and Navy, no effective rescue measures had been taken by late afternoon. Some passengers described being trapped with small children without food or means to disembark as evening approached. The launch’s master, Mostafizur Rahman, said the vessel anchored to maintain control during the storm but became stuck when the tide receded.

MV Sugandha had started its inaugural journey from Dhaka’s Sadarghat on Monday evening as one of two newly launched government-allocated vessels intended to improve travel on the Dhaka-Hatia route.