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Bangladesh ferry capsizes on Meghna river near Dhaka Bangladesh ferry capsizes on Meghna river near Dhaka
(about 1 hour later)
A ferry carrying some 150 people has capsized on a river during a storm in Bangladesh, killing at least eight people, police say. A ferry carrying at least 200 people has capsized on a river during a storm in Bangladesh.
The ferry overturned on the Meghna river in Munshiganj district, near the capital, Dhaka. Nine bodies - including women and children - have been found so far but police say they fear the death toll will rise.
Officials say the death toll is expected to rise. The ferry overturned in high winds on the Meghna river in Munshiganj district, south of the capital, Dhaka.
Ferry accidents are common on Bangladesh's vast river network and scores are killed every year.Ferry accidents are common on Bangladesh's vast river network and scores 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.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.
The MV Miraj-4 capsized in bad weather as it travelled towards Shariatpur. Passenger confusion
"We are heading to the spot with a rescue team," Saiful Hassan Badal, the deputy commissioner of Munshiganj district, told Reuters news agency. The MV Miraj-4 capsized as it travelled towards Shariatpur. The ferry is reported to be under water.
Local police chief Ferdous Ahmed told AFP: "The ferry is completely under water. We are now trying to locate it." Rescue vessels were sent to the scene and members of the fire service and coastguard are reportedly involved in the search.
A number of bodies have reportedly been recovered, including that of a child. Saiful Hassan Badal, the deputy commissioner of Munshiganj district, was widely quoted as saying there was confusion over the number of passengers on board the ferry, suggesting to the AFP news agency that the number could be as high as 350.
"Nine bodies have been recovered so far," he said. Many passengers may have swum to safety, he was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying.
In March 2012, more than 112 people died when a ferry on the wide and fast-moving Meghna river collided with an oil tanker and sank.In March 2012, more than 112 people died when a ferry on the wide and fast-moving Meghna river collided with an oil tanker and sank.
Boats are the main form of travel in parts of rural Bangladesh - a country that is crisscrossed by rivers and waterways.Boats are the main form of travel in parts of rural Bangladesh - a country that is crisscrossed by rivers and waterways.
The authorities have been repeatedly criticised for failing to honour their pledges to tackle lax safety standards.The authorities have been repeatedly criticised for failing to honour their pledges to tackle lax safety standards.