Keraniganj, June 5 -- To ensure safe and smooth travel during Eid-ul-Azha, members of Bangladesh Coast Guard has intensified special patrols and surveillance operations on key waterways across the southern parts of the country.

The key areas include--Chandpur, Shariatpur, Bhola, Hatiya in Noakhali and Barishal districts.

Some 135 launches are operating 24 hours across 23 southern districts, carrying thousands of Eid travelers returning home to celebrate with their loved ones.

An accident occurred around 12:20 pm on Thursday as six passengers, including five from the one family, fell into the Buriganga River from the stairway of the MV Farhan-3 launch heading toward Monpura in Bhola, said Mobarak Hossain, deputy director of Dhaka river ...