Death toll climbs to 48 as Bangladesh ferry carrying more than 100 sinks

At least 48 people including a baby are confirmed dead and rescuers are still searching for missing passengers after a ferry collided with a cargo ship and sank Sunday in a Bangladesh river, officials said. It is the second deadly boat accident in less than a fortnight in the country, which has a history of ferry tragedies. The twin-deck MV Mostofa was carrying between 70 and 150 passengers when it capsized in the middle of the Padma river, according to local police chief Rakibuz Zaman. The vessel was reportedly heading to Paturia from Rajbari district when it was struck.

The number of dead could rise once we salvage the sunken vessel.

Local administrator Rashida Ferdous

Local newspaper Prothom Alo quoted one survivor, Hafizur Rahman, as saying the cargo ship hit the boat 15 minutes after departure, causing it to overturn and trapping many passengers. “I was on the deck of the ferry and fell into the river. Those who were on the deck were able to come out but none of the passengers inside could get out,” Rahman said. Bangladeshi ferries do not normally keep passenger lists, making it difficult to establish how many are missing after an accident.

World Bangladesh ferry