7 bodies found, 35 missing as ferry capsizes in southern Bangladesh

Seven bodies were picked up from the river and around 35 people were still missing as a small passenger ferry sank after it was caught by storm Saturday afternoon, an official said. Badrul Alam, port officer of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), who is supervising the rescue operation at the site, told Xinhua by phone that the small ferry was bound for coastal district of Patuakhali from Rangabari. The ferry carrying around 55 passengers sank in the river Kalagachi after it was caught by a strong storm at about 3:25 p.m. local time. Alam said around 20 passengers swam to safety. One passenger of the ferry said that over 25 passengers were in the cabin and the door was shut. The local people immediately started rescue operation and picked up the bodies from the river. There might be bodies inside the ferry, Alam said. He added that salvage ship Rustam stationed at Barisal has departed for Patuakhali and it would take at least eight hours for it to arrive at the site.