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Bangladesh river ferry capsizes in river near Dhaka | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
A small ferry has capsized in the Megna River near the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka. | |
Officials say two bodies have been recovered so far. Many people are believed to have been rescued but some reports say dozens are still missing. | |
However it is unclear exactly how many people were on board the MV Sarosh - estimates range from 60-100 people. | |
Ferry accidents are common on Bangladesh's vast river network and scores of people are killed every year. | Ferry accidents are common on Bangladesh's vast river network and scores of people are killed every year. |
Such incidents are often blamed on overcrowding and poor quality of the boats, which are the main form of travel in some rural parts of the country. | |
In March last year, more than 112 died when a ferry on the wide and fast-moving Meghna River collided with an oil tanker and sank. | In March last year, more than 112 died when a ferry on the wide and fast-moving Meghna River collided with an oil tanker and sank. |
In this latest incident, local media said the MV Sarosh was hit by another vessel which was transporting sand. Reuters quoted officials as saying the ferry had not been overloaded. | |
Local police chief Jahangir Hossain told the AFP news agency: "So far we have gathered that the ferry was carrying around 100 people. A maximum 40 people are feared missing." | Local police chief Jahangir Hossain told the AFP news agency: "So far we have gathered that the ferry was carrying around 100 people. A maximum 40 people are feared missing." |
Dozens of people were reportedly rescued or swam to shore. | Dozens of people were reportedly rescued or swam to shore. |