Bangladesh boat crash kills at least 32, more feared missing

At least 32 people died in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka after a ferry capsized and sank on Monday, reported AFP. The ferry, Morning Bird, was hit from behind by another ferry during the morning rush hour, when the country’s largest river port is packed with vessels. A diver told AFP that they recovered 32 bodies.

A dozen people were initially listed as missing.

The ferry had departed from central Munshiganj district and sank near Sadarghat.

One passenger was found alive more than 12 hours after the incident. 35-year-old Suman Bapary was floating in the river, reported AFP quoting fire brigade spokesman Kamrul Islam.

At least 50 people were believed to have been on board the vessel, Coastguard spokesman commander Hayet Ibne Siddique told AFP.

The accident occurred ‘due to carelessness’, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority’s chief, Commodore Golam Sadeqk, told AFP.

Many passengers appeared to be stuck in the ferry’s cabins, reported local media.

At least 78 people died in February 2015 when an overcrowded ship collided with a cargo boat in a central Bangladesh river.