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Bangladesh ferry disaster: 12 dead as ship with around 200 on board capsizes in Meghna river near Dhaka Bangladesh ferry disaster: 12 dead as ship with around 200 on board capsizes in Meghna river near Dhaka
(about 1 hour later)
At least 12 people are dead after a ferry containing hundreds of passengers capsized in a river near the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka on Thursday. At least 12 people have died after a river ferry capsized near the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka on Thursday, with around 200 passengers on board.
Police reported that some bodies had already been recovered, with a rescue vessel also on its way, after the accident at 3.30pm local time (0930 GMT) Rescue divers searching the wreck say they have seen more dead bodies inside, after police officers reported earlier in the day that some bodies had already been recovered after the accident at 3.30pm local time (0930 GMT)
The M.V. Miraj-4 ferry capsized in stormy weather in the Meghna river at Rasulpur in Munshiganj district, 27 kilometres from Dhaka. The ferry had been going to Shariatpur from Dhaka.
Local officials said up to 200 people could have been on board the vessel.
"We are heading to the spot with rescue team," said Saiful Hassan Badal, Deputy Commissioner of Munshiganj district told the Reuters news agency. He said the navy and coast guard were sending rescue teams and a ship had been sent from Dhaka.
Among the bodies recovered was one of a child, according to Oliur Rahman, a police officer at the scene.Among the bodies recovered was one of a child, according to Oliur Rahman, a police officer at the scene.
The M.V. Miraj-4 ferry capsized in stormy weather in the Meghna river at Rasulpur in Munshiganj district, 27 kilometres from Dhaka. The ferry had been going to Shariatpur from Dhaka.
Despite strong currents and high waves, around 40 people managed to swim ashore.
"We fear there will be more bodies inside the vessel and we cannot be sure of the number of passengers [on board]," Saiful Hassan Badal, Deputy Commissioner of Munshiganj district, told Reuters by telephone from the scene.
"There was a sudden storm and we requested the boatswain to anchor at the riverside but he ignored us the ferry capsized within a few seconds," said Abdur Rahman, 50, a passenger who managed to swim ashore.
The Meghna river is one of the most important tributaries in the country.The Meghna river is one of the most important tributaries in the country.
In March 2012, at least 145 perished when a packed ferry carrying at least 250 people capsized on the river in the same district.In March 2012, at least 145 perished when a packed ferry carrying at least 250 people capsized on the river in the same district.
In another, earlier deadly accident, around 150 lost their lives in February 2005 when a ferry sank in the Buriganga river on the outskirts of Dhaka. In December 2009, 46 people, mostly women and children, drowned in Daira river in the north-eastern district of Kishorganj after a ferry capsized.In another, earlier deadly accident, around 150 lost their lives in February 2005 when a ferry sank in the Buriganga river on the outskirts of Dhaka. In December 2009, 46 people, mostly women and children, drowned in Daira river in the north-eastern district of Kishorganj after a ferry capsized.
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