On December 23, 2024, a crew member aboard the MV Al-Bakhera killed seven of his colleagues after drugging them with sleeping pills, allegedly due to frustrations over unpaid wages and mistreatment, while the vessel was on the Meghna River.
According to Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), the suspect, a 26-year-old crew member, confessed to the killings, which he carried out in response to frustrations over unpaid wages, withheld allowances, and mistreatment by the vessel’s master. After drugging the crew’s meal with sleeping pills, the suspect began his attack, first killing the vessel’s master, then proceeding to murder the other crew members.
Following the killings, the suspect managed to navigate the vessel until it became stuck in the Majhirchar area. He then fled, claiming he needed to visit a market. The authorities, including the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), arrested him after an extensive investigation.
Evidence recovered from the suspect included blood-stained clothing, gloves, sleeping pill packaging, and mobile phones belonging to the victims. A nationwide strike by shipping workers followed the incident, demanding justice for the victims and compensation for their families. The strike, which disrupted cargo vessels across the country, was eventually called off after negotiations between the workers’ federation and government officials.
The suspect had been employed on the vessel for eight months and described the master’s abusive behavior and the lack of action from his colleagues as contributing factors to his decision to plan the murders.
The families of the victims are demanding justice and compensation as investigations continue, and the police are working to uncover more details of the incident.
