Bhola, Bangladesh, Nov - 28 A crowded ferry carrying more than 2,000 passengers has capsized in southern Bangladesh.
The accident happened when the MV Coco-4 arrived at the town of Lalmohan on Bhola Island at about 11 pm. Tragedy greeted families in Bhola on Eid day as 35 bodies, 11 of them children, were recovered after the MV Coco-4 overturned late on Friday at Nazirpur, some 40 kilometres from the district town. The weight of disembarking passengers caused it to tip and partially sink, reports said.
Ten bodies were retrieved from the hull of the vessel and another 35 from the waters of the Tetulia river throughout Saturday, Most of the victims were local. Some 100 passengers were still reported missing as rescue operations were called off for the day with darkness falling and water level rising with the high tide. Rescue workers said the search for victims will resume on Sunday morning. In Bangladesh, ferry authorities usually don't keep passenger lists, making it difficult to know the exact number of passengers on board.
The president expressed his sorrow at the tragedy and condolences for the grieving families.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, attending a Commonwealth summit in the Port of Spain , expressed her deep grief at the launch disaster and ordered speedy rescue operation and investigation into the accident.
Shipping minister Shahjahan Khan reached the scene just before rescue work was suspended. Principal secretary of the prime minister MA Karim was also at the spot.
The Lalmohon-bound launch from Dhaka was carrying more than triple its capacity, with over 2,500 passengers, officials and passengers estimated Its capacity, as inscribed on the vessel, was 600 passengers in the day time and 446 at night.
Families, trying to reach home for the Eid holiday, were crammed into the hull of the vessel, said those who boarded the launch in the capital. They also said there was barely standing room throughout the decks of the launch. Many of the passengers were travelling home from Dhaka to celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Azha.
The MV Coco-4 is one of Bangladesh's largest inland vessels, named after the youngest son of ex Prime Mnister Begum Khaleda Zia.
Ten bodies were retrieved from the hull of the vessel and another 35 from the waters of the Tetulia river throughout Saturday, Most of the victims were local. Some 100 passengers were still reported missing as rescue operations were called off for the day with darkness falling and water level rising with the high tide. Rescue workers said the search for victims will resume on Sunday morning. In Bangladesh, ferry authorities usually don't keep passenger lists, making it difficult to know the exact number of passengers on board.
The president expressed his sorrow at the tragedy and condolences for the grieving families.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, attending a Commonwealth summit in the Port of Spain , expressed her deep grief at the launch disaster and ordered speedy rescue operation and investigation into the accident.
Shipping minister Shahjahan Khan reached the scene just before rescue work was suspended. Principal secretary of the prime minister MA Karim was also at the spot.
The Lalmohon-bound launch from Dhaka was carrying more than triple its capacity, with over 2,500 passengers, officials and passengers estimated Its capacity, as inscribed on the vessel, was 600 passengers in the day time and 446 at night.
The MV Coco-4 is one of Bangladesh's largest inland vessels, named after the youngest son of ex Prime Mnister Begum Khaleda Zia.
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