Ferry accident: 150 missing

2004-05-24 12:18

Chandpur, Bangladesh - Rescuers resumed their search on Monday for about 150 passengers still missing after a river ferry capsized in a tropical storm in southeastern Bangladesh, as the confirmed death toll rose to 20, officials and witnesses said.

Officials worked to pull the overturned boat from the River Meghna, fearing that many passengers had been trapped inside when the double-deck ferry capsized early on Sunday near Chandpur town, carrying about 250 people. Other bodies may have been washed away by strong currents, rescue officials said.

Hundreds of anxious relatives thronged the banks of the river to look for loved ones.

Rescuers estimated that as many as 80 people swam ashore safely, and said that seven injured passengers had been rescued from inside the vessel.

"The number of survivors seems to be higher than we earlier thought," said a rescue official.

Fifteen bodies were recovered on Sunday and another five bodies were found on Monday morning, officials said.

Many of the passengers on the ferry were asleep when the accident occurred and were believed to have been trapped inside, said Mohammad Dulal Miah, a police officer at the scene.

The boat was travelling from southwestern Madaripur district to Dhaka, the capital.

Hassan Jahangir, a trader, said he was among a group of 30 people traveling to Dhaka to buy merchandise.

"A man from our group has died, while others are missing," said Jahangir, who was rescued by a fishing boat.

President Iajuddin Ahmed and Prime Minister Khaleda Zia expressed shock at the disaster and conveyed sympathy to those who lost loved ones.

Ferry accidents are common in this South Asian nation criss-crossed by rivers. A ferry capsized in Chandpur during a storm in July last year, killing more than 500 people.

- AP