KOLKATA,March14,2012: Nearly 250 persons are feared dead after a passenger ferry carrying nearly 300 people capsized in the early morning hours of Tuesday in Meghna river of Bangladesh. The ferry was heading towards capital Dhaka from Shariyatpur of Barishal division located in the southern part of the country. The official spokesperson of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority(BIWTA) told the media that the ill-fated vessel MV Shariyatpur capsized in the middle of the river around 2.30am near Gozaria of Munsigunge district of Bangladesh. The initial probe hinted that the boat started sinking after an oil tanker hit the passenger ferry. Most of the passengers were asleep when the accident happened. The district administration initiated rescue operations with the help of country's coast guards and fire brigade personnel.
Till afternoon, the BIWTA authority claimed to have rescued 50 persons alive and recovered 19 dead bodies.
The rescue team reportedly traced the capsized ferry 70 feet under water in Meghna river. The survivors told the district administration that another passenger ferry MV Mitali which was also sailing towards Dhaka was close to the capsize spot and was the first to reach the spot and rescue passengers. The commander of MV Mitali told local Bangladesh media that their vessel could reach within few minutes following the SOS message of the sinking boat and their sailors joined the rescue operation with the help of buoyas. In the morning additional rescue teams reached the spot.
Till afternoon, the BIWTA authority claimed to have rescued 50 persons alive and recovered 19 dead bodies.
The rescue team reportedly traced the capsized ferry 70 feet under water in Meghna river. The survivors told the district administration that another passenger ferry MV Mitali which was also sailing towards Dhaka was close to the capsize spot and was the first to reach the spot and rescue passengers. The commander of MV Mitali told local Bangladesh media that their vessel could reach within few minutes following the SOS message of the sinking boat and their sailors joined the rescue operation with the help of buoyas. In the morning additional rescue teams reached the spot.