Dozens of people are missing after a ferry capsized following a collision with a cargo boat in southern Bangladesh, police and media say.
At least 17 people have been killed and an unknown number are missing after a ferry sank in southern Bangladesh, police and media say.
Rescuers found the body of one woman and some passengers managed to swim ashore after the accident in dense fog on the Kirtankhola river.
The ferry capsized following a collision with a cargo boat in dense fog on the Kirtankhola river.
Reports on the number of passengers range from 60 to 150.
Reports on the number of passengers ranged from 60 to 150. Officials have now called off the search.
Boat and ferry accidents are common in Bangladesh's many rivers, due to poor safety standards and overloading.
Boat and ferry accidents are common in Bangladesh's many rivers, due to poor safety standards and overloading.
'Little chance'
Seized
Local police official Nuruzzaman Chowdhury told the Associated Press news agency the accident took place near the town of Barisal, about 170km (106 miles) south of the capital, Dhaka.
Local police official Nuruzzaman Chowdhury told the Associated Press news agency the accident took place near the town of Barisal, about 170km (106 miles) south of the capital, Dhaka.
Mr Chowdhury said the cargo vessel had been seized and efforts were under way to locate the sunken ferry - the ML Happy.
Reports said dozens of people were rescued or managed to swim to safety, but that the number of fatalities was expected to rise.
"We don't know how many people are trapped in the sunken boat, but those still believed to be trapped have little chance to survive," he said.
Local media put the number of those missing at between 15 and 50.
Local TV reports said the ferry was travelling from Barisal to Mehendiganj and that 10 people were being treated in hospital.
Hundreds of onlookers and anxious relatives have been waiting on the riverbank for news.
Mr Chowdhury said the cargo vessel had been seized.
Local TV reports said the 20m (60ft) ferry - the ML Happy - was travelling from Barisal to Mehendiganj.
One survivor, Jasmine Aktar, 30, told reporters: "I survived by swimming to the shore, but I have three young children missing."
One survivor, Jasmine Aktar, 30, told reporters: "I survived by swimming to the shore, but I have three young children missing."
In July 2003, at least 500 people died when a ferry sank in the Meghna river.
A year later another ferry sank on the same river, killing up to 200.
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Are you in the area? Are you or is someone you know affected by the incident? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
