Scores killed in ferry accident

2003-04-21 18:57

Dhaka - At least 30 bodies were recovered on Monday after a ferry with more than 200 passengers sank during a storm in a river north of the Bangladesh capital Dakha, police said.

Police in Fatullah, in nearby Narayanganj district, said the ferry, MV Mitali, had capsized with between 200 and 300 passengers on board.

"A large number of passengers swam to safety or were rescued," a police officer said.

An AFP photographer at the scene said he saw 30 bodies, mostly children, floating in the river or washed up on shore.

Fire brigade, police and local people were searching for more survivors along the banks of the Buriganga river, about 20 kilometres outside of Dhaka.

Witnesses said the ferry had been overloaded when it capsized.

Elsewhere in Bangladesh another ferry capsized with some 30 passengers during a storm, but details were not immediately available.

Earlier this month, about 80 people were killed in the northeastern Chhatak area when a large boat capsized.

Ferry accidents are common in Bangladesh, blamed mainly on overcrowding.

- AFX