Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- At least 24 persons died and over 200 went missing when a passenger launch capsized in the Meghna River after a cargo boat hit it in Gazaria upazila in the country’s central Munshiganj district early Tuesday.
Thirty of the passengers of the Dhaka-bound ‘MV Shariatpur-1’ managed to swim ashore while the rest remain missing, according to reports.
Rescuers found the bodies of two men, which were floating in the water near 'Char Kishori, at 11:45am. Later, they found 22 more bodies there, The Daily Star, a local newspaper, reported.
Identity of the dead victims could not be learnt immediately.
The Dhaka-bound launch sank into the river after an oil-laden cargo boat dashed it around 2:30am, Md Azizul Alam, deputy commissioner of Munshiganj, reportedly said.
On information, members of Bangladesh Coast Guard, Rapid Action Battalion, local police and Fire Brigade personnel reached the spot and started rescue operation.
Rescue vessel MV Rustom reached the area at 8:30am and started working to locate the capsized launch.
BBN/SSR/AD-13Mar12-2:37 pm (BST)
