WORLD
Rescuers retrieved 12 more bodies from the overloaded triple-deck vessel as they continued their search for scores of bodies, the police said today.
The death toll from a major ferry accident in southwestern Bangladesh rose to 56 as rescuers retrieved 12 more bodies from the overloaded triple-deck vessel as they continued their search for scores of bodies, the police said today.
"The partly sunken ferry was retrieved by salvage vessel Hamaza but the searches still continued for more bodies" feared to be trapped inside the vessel or in waters where it sank at Thursday midnight, police chief of southeastern coastal Bhola district told PTI over phone.
Administrative chief of the district Mesbahul Islam told official BSS news agency that 51 bodies were recovered so far with most them being children and women, but witnesses including local journalists said several more bodies were taken away by the relatives of the dead before those were counted officially.
In the morning, Bangladesh Inland Transport Authority salvage vessel joined the rescue operations in shallow depth of water in the Tentulia River at Nazirpur area of Bhola, the scene of the accident.
The triple-decked ferry, packed with 1,500 passengers on their way home to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha festival, had capsized at Nazirpur area in southwestern Bangladesh on Friday night after almost berthing at the coastal town of Bhola, 104-km from Dhaka.
The ferry MV Como was bound for Bhola from Dhaka when it tipped almost around midnight after reaching the destination with its rear portion sinking into the sea. The vessel tipped probably because it was jammed with people, sources said.
An investigation had been launched to determine the cause of the accident. Earlier reports quoting survivors said that the ferry had hit a river shoal as it suddenly tried to back off to prevent passengers without tickets from disembarking while they rushed to the other side of the ferry to jump to shore tilting the vessel which then partly sank in shallow waters trapping the victims inside.
A local journalist who witnessed the rescue operation said rescuers are searching for more bodies which are still believed to be trapped underwater.
"Most of the bodies were found trapped inside closed cabins of the ferry as they could not even jump to the waters," the journalist said. The government has constituted a five-member inquiry committee to investigate into the accident. The committee was asked to submit the report in seven days identifying the reasons of the tragedy.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina, now in Port of Spain attending a Commonwealth summit, expressed her grief yesterday over the launch disaster and ordered speedy rescue operations and investigation into the accident.
PAK vs ENG test: Saud Shakeel near century as Pakistan still trails by 80 runs
Diwali, Chhath Puja 2024: Vande Bharat trains for people travelling home; check route, fare, timings
This restaurant owner refuses to serve food vlogger, says 'Main tum logo se…', watch viral video
PM Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz meet, exchange views on defence, trade, clean energy
Meet Indian who is first female CFO of HSBC in 160 years, not from IIT, IIM, she is from...
IND vs NZ 2nd Test: Team India's flop show continues, all out for 156, NZ lead by 103 runs
Need for a nuanced approach and realistic expectations from BRICS+
Ranbir Kapoor doesn't even gossip, says Alia Bhatt in viral video; Sonakshi, Nargis think otherwise
India, China pull back troops; begin disengagement in Demchok, Depaang in eastern Ladakh
Meet Prashanth Rajendran: The product leader who's making big data safer for millions
Gulmarg terror attack: Security forces launch combing operation along LoC
The impact of studying abroad on career prospects for Indian students
Delhi water shortage: No water supply for 12 hours TODAY, check affected areas and advisory
Maharashtra election: Baba Siddique's son Zeeshan Siddique joins Ajit Pawar's NCP to contest from...
Centre asks Meta, X to share data again after over 80 flights get fresh bomb threats
Indian woman on Reddit worries if her name would cause issues in Germany, it is...
IMD update: Severe cyclone Dana begins landfall on Odisha coast, expected to continue till...
Delhi Air Pollution Update: Air quality improves to 'moderate' category, AQI drops to 283
Ratan Tata's final project: A four-storey centre, made at cost of Rs 165 crore, it is....
Viral video: Two women dance to Tamannaah Bhatia’s 'Aaj Ki Raat' burns internet, watch
Meet woman, one of world's youngest CEOs, designed her first website at 6, now runs...
Manu Bhaker opts for master's degree after Olympic medal win, says, 'Life is an...'
Apple iPhone maker buys equipment worth Rs 2670000000 for India factory, gears up to start...
DNA TV Show: Congress not to contest UP by-polls, lends 'unconditionally' support to SP
Venom The Last Dance movie review: Tom Hardy's final Marvel outing is a king-size disappointment
Pushpa, Stree 2 choreographer Jani Master gets bail in sexual assault case
Who is Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the next Chief Justice of India?
KL Rahul rejects retention offer from Lucknow Super Giants, set to enter IPL 2025 auction: Report
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance to give bonus share ahead of Diwali, check last date to apply
When Hollywood actress Natalie Portman insulted a BIG Bollywood megastar, he was asked to 'get lost'
J-K: 2 porters killed, 3 soldiers injured after Army vehicle attacked in Gulmarg
Shah Rukh Khan is back on small screen with legendary tale, it will lead up to…
Pre-Diwali Skincare: 5 quick tips to achieve flawless skin this festive season
Bomb threats to Indian planes continue: More than 80 flights receive fresh security alerts
Mumbai Police arrests vegetable seller from Jamshedpur for sending death threat to Salman Khan
'Dukh toh hota hi hai': Ex-India star blames MS Dhoni for dropping him at the 'peak of career'
Amitabh Bachchan defended Aishwarya Rai after she opted out of this film due to...
THIS company lost Rs 36430 crore in 6 hours, it's not Mukesh Ambani's Reliance, Tata Motors
Narak Chaturdashi 2024: Know the date, time, rituals, significance of Choti Diwali
'Attitude is...': Ex-Tesla employee shares experience working with Elon Musk
IND vs NZ: Washington Sundar scripts history in Pune, becomes first Indian to achieve big feat
Mukesh Ambani hails Meta CEO, says Mark Zuckerberg will go down in history for...
SC issues notice to Ajit Pawar on Sharad Pawar faction's plea over NCP 'clock' symbol
'UPSC hotspot': THIS college produces most IAS, IPS officers every year
Unlock the Power of Quick Recovery: Why every windows PC needs RestoreX360
Royal Enfield first electric bike spotted, it will be unveiled on…
'Dead' baby found alive during funeral in..., what happened next will SHOCK you!
Anil Ambani gets good news ahead of Diwali, his Rs 17016 crore company receives...
Apple iPhone 16 pro is now available for just Rs 52,930 on Amazon, how you can grab this deal
Diwali 2024: 5 vastu-friendly home decor tips to welcome wealth, prosperity this Deepawali
'Breasts, not oranges': Cancer awareness campaign by Yuvraj Singh's NGO draws flak, DMRC recalls it
Virat Kohli reveals being in tears while talking to Anushka Sharma following THIS incident
Man kidnapped from chaat stall, but there's a twist, watch viral video