Ferry sinks in south Bangladesh, Dozens missing

At least a woman drowned and 50 other people went missing as a launch capsized in the river Kirtonkhola in Beltola area today (Thursday), reports our Barisal correspondent.

Locals and survivors said Mehendiganj-bound launch ML Happy from Barisal, with around 100 passengers on board, sank nearly 3km from Barisal city at about 6:30am as sand-laden cargo SM Selim hit it from behind.

The body of an unidentified woman was recovered from the river while between 40 and 50 passengers remained missing, Mohammad Nuruzzaman Chowdhury, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Model Police Station in the city, quoted the survivors as saying.

Other passengers of the launch managed to swim ashore.

Rescue ship Hamza arrived at the spot at about 9:00am and started its operation. But, as of filing of the report at about 10:00am, it could not locate the capsized launch.