Two bodies found, some missing as Bangladesh ferry sinks

Two bodies have been found but many other people are missing after a trawler with 60 passengers on board sank in Meghna river in Bangladesh, fire service officials here said Thursday.

They said the trawler set off for Munshiganj from Gozaria sub-district, near Dhaka, and sunk after it was caught in a storm that swept many parts of Bangladesh Wednesday evening. The accident took place in Munshiganj district, 27 km from Dhaka, around 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

The bodies of two passengers have been found, and police fear four-five people are still unaccounted for, Xinhua nws agency reported.

"Rescuers found two bodies until Thursday morning," said Mohammad Ferdous, Gazaria police station chief in Munshiganj district.

He said many passengers were able to swim ashore after the accident, but the exact number of the missing was still unclear.

"Four to five people are reportedly still missing," he said.

The official said a rescue vessel has been called in to boost local efforts to salvage the ferry.

Ferry and boat disasters are common in Bangladesh, which is criss-crossed by about 250 rivers. Ferries are a key means of transport. Scores of people are killed each year in ferry disasters in the country.