Death Toll Climbs in Bangladesh Ferry Disaster

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A relative mourns as he waits for the news of his brother, who was a passenger of the M.V. Miraj-4 ferry which capsized, by the Meghna river at Rasulpur in Munshiganj district
A relative mourns as he waits for the news of his brother, who was a passenger of the M.V. Miraj-4 ferry which capsized, by the Meghna river at Rasulpur in Munshiganj district May 16, 2014.Reuters
By Denver Nicks

At least 29 people were killed and more than 100 remain missing after a ferry capsized Thursday during a storm on the Meghna River near Bangladesh’s capital of Dhaka.

It was unclear exactly how many people were aboard the ship, since the ferry did not maintain a list of passengers. An investigation is underway to determine if the vessel was overcrowded, the Associated Press reports.

Officials told the AP they were trying to locate the ferry crew, who they believe may have left the area after the accident.

Ferry accidents due to overcrowding and defective ships are common in Bangladesh. In 2012, at least 150 people died when a ferry carrying roughly 200 people capsized near the site of the latest accident.

[AP]

 

 

 

 

 

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