The bodies of seven men, who were brutally murdered aboard a cargo vessel on the Meghna River at Haimechar in Chandpur, have been handed over to their families.

Chandpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mohsin Uddin confirmed that the district administration has formed a four-member probe committee to investigate the incident.

The committee, led by Additional District Magistrate Ekramul Siddique, includes representatives from the Coast Guard, River Police, and district police.

The handover of the bodies took place on Tuesday afternoon at the morgue near Swarnakhola Road in Chandpur. Deputy Commissioner Mohsin Uddin and Superintendent of Police Syed Moshfiqur Rahman provided financial assistance to the victims` families—Tk 20,000 in cheques and Tk 10,000 in cash, respectively.

Deputy Commissioner Uddin stated, "The victims’ bodies were handed over to their families today. A probe committee has been formed, and we expect their findings within 10 working days. A case regarding this incident will also be filed at the Haimechar Police Station by a family member of one of the victims."

The seven bodies were discovered on Monday aboard the MV Al Bakhira, a cargo vessel anchored on the Meghna River. The recovery was carried out by the Coast Guard and River Police following reports of suspicious activity.

Authorities are treating the case with urgency, and the findings of the investigation are expected to shed light on the motives and circumstances behind the murders.