partially sank m.v. Coco-4 launch
Bhola, Bangladesh Nov 29 - Another 21 bodies were retrieved from the hull of M.V. Coco-4 after salvage vessel M.V. Hamza re-floated the partially capsized ferry on the Tentulia river Sunday, raising the death toll to 56.
The local administration has handed over 49 bodies to relatives and estimated some 50 passengers were still missing, said district commissioner Mesbahul Islam.
The local administration has handed over 49 bodies to relatives and estimated some 50 passengers were still missing, said district commissioner Mesbahul Islam.
Rescued from the partially sank ferry
Rescue operations came to a halt for the day at around 7:30pm, he added.
The accident occurred late on Friday when the ferry was trying to anchor at Nazirpur terminal in Lalmohon, some 40 kilometres from Bhola district town.
It was carrying more than triple its capacity, with over 1,500 passengers, from Dhaka to Lalmohon ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha.
The vessel, crowded from hull to decks with people heading home to celebrate with families, began tipping with the weight of disembarking passengers and partially sank, according to eye witnesses.
Police, divers of BIWTA and fire service men have been engaged in rescue operations for since the early hours of Saturday.
Hundreds of people have been gathered on the bank of the river throughout the Eid day and following Sunday, anxiously waiting for their relatives who were on board the launch. Families wailed over the bodies of dear ones as they were retrieved.
The accident occurred late on Friday when the ferry was trying to anchor at Nazirpur terminal in Lalmohon, some 40 kilometres from Bhola district town.
It was carrying more than triple its capacity, with over 1,500 passengers, from Dhaka to Lalmohon ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha.
The vessel, crowded from hull to decks with people heading home to celebrate with families, began tipping with the weight of disembarking passengers and partially sank, according to eye witnesses.
Police, divers of BIWTA and fire service men have been engaged in rescue operations for since the early hours of Saturday.
Hundreds of people have been gathered on the bank of the river throughout the Eid day and following Sunday, anxiously waiting for their relatives who were on board the launch. Families wailed over the bodies of dear ones as they were retrieved.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, now in Port of Spain attending a Commonwealth summit, expressed her grief Saturday over the launch disaster and ordered speedy rescue operations and investigation into the accident.
The president, Zillur Rahman, also expressed his sorrow condolences for the grieving families.
Three committees have been formed to report on aspects of the launch disaster.
The government formed a five-member probe committee, headed by deputy shipping secretary Baitul Amin Bhuiyan, officials said. It was asked to submit a report within seven working days.
BIWTA on Sunday also formed a five-strong body to investigate the incident, its chairman Abdul Malek told reporters.
"The team will inspect the passenger capacity, fitness certificate of the launch and will visit the spot Monday," he added.
The district commissioner said a three-member committee has been formed on behalf of the district administration. They have been asked to submit a report within three days.
The president, Zillur Rahman, also expressed his sorrow condolences for the grieving families.
Three committees have been formed to report on aspects of the launch disaster.
The government formed a five-member probe committee, headed by deputy shipping secretary Baitul Amin Bhuiyan, officials said. It was asked to submit a report within seven working days.
BIWTA on Sunday also formed a five-strong body to investigate the incident, its chairman Abdul Malek told reporters.
"The team will inspect the passenger capacity, fitness certificate of the launch and will visit the spot Monday," he added.
The district commissioner said a three-member committee has been formed on behalf of the district administration. They have been asked to submit a report within three days.
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