Skip to main content

48 drown in Padma river ferry disaster

Number of missing after collision with cargo ship ‘unclear’

AT LEAST 48 people were killed in central Bangladesh yesterday when a ferry carrying about 100 passengers capsized after being hit by a cargo ship.

Rescuers were working to find survivors but it was not clear how many people were missing.

The ferry was hit by the cargo vessel at the Daulatdia-Paturia crossing on the Padma river, about 25 miles from capital Dhaka.

Fire brigade official Shahzadi Begum said rescue teams had been deployed and passing boats were helping in the operation.

Ferry accidents are common in Bangladesh, which is criss-crossed by more than 130 rivers.

The ferry was submerged at a depth of up to 20 feet, said Inspector Zihad Mia, who is overseeing the rescue operation. Forty-eight bodies had been recovered yesterday evening, officials added.

Officials have yet to determine how many passengers were missing — ferries in Bangladesh usually do not list passengers. “We don’t have a clear picture about how many were exactly in the ferry when it sank,” Insp Mia said, “but I think many have survived.”

One survivor said many people were trapped inside when the ferry sank. “The passengers who were on the deck have survived but many who were inside got trapped,” Hafizur Rahman Sheikh told the Prothom Alo newspaper.

Mr Sheikh said the cargo vessel hit the middle of the ferry.

The Padma is one of the largest rivers in Bangladesh, where overcrowding and poor safety standards are often blamed for ferry accidents.

Last August a ferry with a capacity of 85 passengers was found to be carrying more than 200 when it capsized on the Padma near Dhaka, leaving more than 100 people dead or missing. The ferry’s owner was arrested after weeks in hiding on charges of culpable homicide, unauthorised operation and overloading.

At least five people were killed earlier this month when a ferry sank in southern Bangladesh.

OWNED BY OUR READERS

We're a reader-owned co-operative, which means you can become part of the paper too by buying shares in the People’s Press Printing Society.

 

 

Become a supporter

Fighting fund

You've Raised:£ 13,288
We need:£ 4,712
3 Days remaining
Donate today