The latest waterway tragedy to hit Bangladesh resulted in at least 24 fatalities and scores more missing after a boat full of passengers sank on Sunday.
According to Jahurul Islam, the district administration of northern Panchagarh, where the tragedy took place, the bodies that have been found so far included women and children.
“The rescue operation for those missing is ongoing,” he said.
Passengers said that there were more than 70 persons on board, despite Islam’s claim that he was unaware of the precise number of the missing.
Hundreds of people die each year in ferry accidents in Bangladesh, a low-lying country that has extensive inland waterways but lax safety standards.
In May, a packed speedboat collapsed on the Padma River after colliding with a bulk container carrying sand. At least 26 people died.