DHAKA, Mar 21 (NNN-BSS) – Rescuers recovered six bodies from a river, in Narayanganj district, outside Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, after a ferry collided with another vessel and capsized yesterday, a senior official said.
Jayedul Alam, Narayanganj district’s police chief, said that, the ferry, named “MV Afsar Uddin” sank, after being hit by a cargo vessel on the Shitalakkhya River, in Narayanganj district.
“The bodies of six people, including three women, two children and a man have so far been retrieved,” he said.
According to the official, the ferry, carrying some 25 to 30 passengers, sank in the river at around 2:15 p.m. local time (0815 GMT) yesterday.
Alam said, one person has been confirmed missing.
But local media reports put the number of missing people at dozens, and feared the death toll may rise with the search and rescue operation still underway.
Bangladesh’s river police seized the cargo vessel, “MV Rupshi-19,” and detained its master and eight other crew members.
Bangladesh’s Shipping Ministry, formed a committee to look into negligence claims, as footage of the sinking ferry, found on social media, showed its passengers shouting in panic.– NNN-BSS
