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Ferry sinks in south Bangladesh Ferry sinks in south Bangladesh
(about 7 hours later)
A ferry carrying more than 1,000 passengers has partly capsized in southern Bangladesh, police say.A ferry carrying more than 1,000 passengers has partly capsized in southern Bangladesh, police say.
The accident happened as the MV Coco-4 was approaching a river station near the town of Lalmohan on Bhola Island, a local police chief said.The accident happened as the MV Coco-4 was approaching a river station near the town of Lalmohan on Bhola Island, a local police chief said.
The ferry was crowded and the weight of disembarking passengers caused it to tip and partially sink, reports said.The ferry was crowded and the weight of disembarking passengers caused it to tip and partially sink, reports said.
At least three people are reported to have died and police say they fear some passengers may be trapped on the boat. At least five people are reported to have died and police say they fear some passengers may be trapped on the boat.
"Many passengers have managed to land safely. But we believe some others who were staying in the cabins were trapped under water," local police chief Zakir Hossain told AFP news agency. Divers searched for bodies on the lower deck of the triple-decked vessel, the emergency services said.
"We are trying to rescue them," he said. A rescue ship was called in to salvage the sunken ferry.
Rescue divers were searching for bodies, the emergency services said. "So far we have rescued more than 50 people alive by cutting open lower cabins. They have been shifted to a local hospital, with the conditions of seven very critical.
"Scores are still trapped underwater," police inspector Nazrul Islam told AFP news agency.
Many of the passengers were travelling home from Dhaka to celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha.Many of the passengers were travelling home from Dhaka to celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha.
The MV Coco-4 is one of Bangladesh's largest inland vessels.The MV Coco-4 is one of Bangladesh's largest inland vessels.
Ferry accidents occur frequently in Bangladesh - typically blamed on unsafe, ageing boats and overcrowding.Ferry accidents occur frequently in Bangladesh - typically blamed on unsafe, ageing boats and overcrowding.