48 people dead as passenger ferry capsizes after it was hit by cargo vessell

A ferry carrying up to 140 passengers has capsized in central Bangladesh after being hit by a cargo vessel, killing at least 48 people.

A rescue operation is under way on the Padma River, about 25 miles north-west of the capital Dhaka, but it is not clear how many people remain missing.

The ferry was struck by the cargo vessel at the Daulatdia-Paturia crossing this afternoon, fire department official Shahzadi Begum said. Rescue teams were deployed and passing boats are helping in the operation.

The ferry, the ML Mosta, was submerged at a depth of up to 20ft, inspector Zihad Mia, who is overseeing the rescue operation, said. By this evening, at least 48 bodies had been recovered.

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Mr Mia said officials are yet to determine how many passengers are missing. Ferries in Bangladesh do not usually maintain formal passenger lists.

Culled from mirror.co