The death toll from a weekend ferry accident in southeastern Bangladesh climbed to 44 on Monday as rescuers searched for more than 120 people still missing after the boat capsized in a tropical storm, officials and witnesses said.
A government salvage ship has pulled most of the ferry’s parts from the Meghna River and rescuers do not expect to find more bodies inside the wreckage, although some may have been swept downstream, rescue official Mohammad Amir Hossain said.
Hundreds of anxious relatives thronged the banks of the river to look for loved ones following the accident on Sunday when the double-deck ferry capsized near Chandpur town with about 250 people aboard.
The Shipping Ministry ordered an investigation into the sinking, and three crew members of the ferry have been detained for questioning.
Twenty-nine bodies were recovered on Monday, bringing the death toll to 44, officials said. Fifteen bodies were found on Sunday.
Rescuers said about 120 people are still listed as missing.
They estimated that 80 people swam to shore safely, and said seven injured passengers were rescued from inside the vessel.
Bodies of dozens of goats being carried in the ferry were also found.
The boat was travelling from southwestern Madaripur district to Dhaka, the capital.
Hassan Jahangir, a trader, said he was among a group of 30 people travelling to Dhaka to buy merchandise.
”A man from our group has died, while others are missing,” said Jahangir, who was rescued by a fishing boat.
President Iajuddin Ahmed and Prime Minister Khaleda Zia expressed shock at the disaster and conveyed sympathy to those who lost loved ones.
Ferry accidents are common in this South Asian nation crisscrossed by rivers. A ferry capsized in Chandpur during a storm in July last year, killing more than 500 people. — Sapa-AP