(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) A river ferry carrying about 100 passengers capsized in central Bangladesh on Sunday after being hit by a cargo vessel killing at least 33 people, said official.
A fire department official, Shahzadi Begum confirming the casualties told media that the ferry was struck by the cargo vessel at the Daulatdia-Paturia crossing on the Padma River on Sunday afternoon.
A police official, Bidhan Tripura also confirmed that 33 dead bodies retrieved so far from the water including a baby. He said that another police team, assisted by firemen and the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, is trying to salvage the ferry, adding that rescuers managed to save at least 50 passengers and were still searching for more survivors.
Inspector Zihad Mia, who is overseeing the rescue operation, said that the ferry was submerged at a depth of up to 6 meters (20 feet). He said, "We don't have a clear picture about how many were exactly in the ferry when it sank," Mia said.
"But I think many have survived." The ferry was heading to Paturia from Daulatdia in Rajbari, located on the opposite bank of the river and 136 kilometers northwest of Dhaka city.
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.
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