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Scores feared drowned as ferry
sinks in southern Bangladesh

According to Bangladesh Television, two bodies have been recovered while nearly 100 passengers were rescued from the river.

The two-storeyed M V Salauddin-2 sank in the river shortly before midnight on Friday. It was on its way to Patuakhali from capital Dhaka.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), which administers riverine transport, said the ferry had a capacity of 316 passengers during daytime and 216 at night.

Sources at the BIWTA said the ferry was carrying between 125 to 150 people.

The sources said salvage operations were likely to begin only around midnight on Saturday after the salvage vessel M V Hamza reaches the site.

The ill-fated ferry might have ignored the inclement weather before leaving Sadarghat, the ferry terminal, the sources said.

They said the weather was more or less fine but a sudden storm may have led to the disaster.

Newspapers gave conflicting reports of the number of those on board. While some said there were 400 people on board, another put the number at 300 claiming that many swam to safety.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has ordered an inquiry into the mishap.

PTI

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