Eight bodies found after Bangladesh trawler sinks

Eight bodies have been recovered while three people still remain missing after a trawler with 50 passengers on board sank in the Meghna river in Bangladesh, a fire service official said on Thursday.

"We have retrieved eight bodies so far from the river. Three more passengers are still missing," Xinhua news agency quoted the official as saying.

The trawler carrying about 50 passengers was coming from eastern Comilla district and was approaching the Keranaganj Ghat (terminal) when another sand-laden trawler hit it on Wednesday night, according to the official.

The passenger-ferry capsized in Keraniganj Ghat, just opposite capital Dhaka.

An earlier Xinhua report said that the ferry capsized in Munshiganj district after being caught in a storm.

The official also said that the coast guard was also taking part in the rescue operation.

Ferry and trawler accidents are common in Bangladesh and over 1,000 people die in such accidents every year. At least 30,000 small and large ferries ply in Bangladesh, which is criss-crossed by around 250 rivers.