Bangladesh ferry tragedy death toll rises to 50

River boats in Bangladesh (Representative photo only)

Search and rescue (SAR) teams have found the bodies of 25 people who were initially declared missing after a river ferry sank in northern Bangladesh earlier this week, bringing that incident’s confirmed death toll to 50.

The additional victims were recovered after an initial 25 deceased individuals were pulled out of those same waters within hours of the incident in Panchagarh district on Sunday, September 25.

Police officials said that another 15 people who were on the ferry are still unaccounted for and that SAR operations will continue.

Some survivors later recounted that the ferry was carrying over 70 people, many of whom were devotees traveling to a Hindu temple as part of a pilgrimage.

An investigation is being conducted to identify whether the ferry sank as a result of its carrying three times its rated passenger capacity.


Baird Maritime

The best maritime site on the web. The sea's our scene!