Asia-Pacific

12 bodies recovered after ferry capsizes in Bangladesh

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-06-08 16:39

DHAKA - Rescuers recovered 12 bodies after a ferry capsized Tuesday in Bangladesh's northeastern Sunamganj district, some 296 km away from capital Dhaka, an official said.

Babul Mia, chief of Dharmapasha sub-district in Sunamganj district, told Xinhua over mobile phone that "Rescuers so far recovered 12 bodies including 6 female students and 2 women and 4 children."

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He said several people are still missing after the ferry capsized in a large water body.

The ferry sank with around 25 to 30 passengers on board in Dharmapasha at about 9:30 am local time, he added that most of the passengers managed to swim ashore soon after the ferry capsized.

Babul said the cause of the sinking is not clear immediately but it seems that the ferry capsized due to wind and waves amid rough weather.  

He said rescuers have managed to salvage the sunken ferry after several hours of their relentless efforts.

Babul said the ferry was going to one terminal from another terminal of the sub-district where ferry is the key means of transportation.

Ferry and boat disasters are common in Bangladesh, as the country is criss-crossed by about 250 rivers, and ferry is a key means of transport.