Dhaka, July 09: A ferry carrying more than 700 people capsized in southern Bangladesh, and about 600 people were missing and feared dead, rescue officials said today.
The triple-deck ferry was traveling from Dhaka to the southern Bhola district when it sank late on Tuesday near Chandpur town, 64 km south of Dhaka, said Manzoor-e-Elahi, the area's government administrator. About 150 people either swam to shore or were rescued by local fishermen, he said.
Survivors said that the ferry, the MV Nasrin-2, careened when it hit turbulent waters where the Padma, Meghna and Dakatia rivers merge as it approached a ferry terminal. It sank as many passengers were either asleep or preparing to go to bed.
Heavy monsoon rains have swollen many rivers in Bangladesh.
No bodies had been recovered so far, officials said. The ferry was overcrowded and was loaded with a cargo of rice and vegetables, said one survivor, Anwar Hossain.
Elahi said that police and local people were using boats to search for survivors. Bureau Report