Dhaka, July 12: At least 30 more decomposed bodies were recovered from the River Megna today taking the toll in one of Bangladesh's worst ferry mishaps to almost 100, even as hopes of retrieving the ill-fated M V Nasreen 1 were fading with hundreds of passengers still missing. Efforts to locate the ferry, which sank near Chandpur terminal in central Bangladesh with around 800 hundred passengers onboard Tuesday, have been hampered due inclement weather.
Around one hundred bodies have so far been recovered, most of which in downstream Bhola areas. Most bodies were found in bloated condition and were beyond recognition, media reports said here. The chances of retrieving the capsized vessel have become bleak as it is feared the ferry might have been buried in sand making it difficult to locate, the reports said.
Four ships including Barkat, a ship from Bangladesh Navy, have taken part in the salvage work, while another high-tech Navy ship "Saibal" arrived at Chandpur last night to join the operations. Prayers were held for the accident victims in capital Dhaka and Chandpur after Friday prayers while special prayers were offered at mosques and temples in Lalmohan for the unknown who died in the tragedy. Bureau Report