600 Feared Dead in Ferry Accident

A ferry carrying about 750 people capsized in southern Bangladesh, and as many as 600 people were missing and feared dead, rescue officials said today.

The triple-deck ferry was traveling from Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, to the southern Bhola district when it sank late Tuesday near the town of Chandpur, 40 miles south of Dhaka, said Manzoor-e-Elahi, the area’s government administrator. About 150 people swam to shore or were rescued by fishermen, he said.

Survivors said the ferry, the MV Nasrin-2, careened when it hit turbulent waters where the Padma, Meghna and Dakatia rivers merge as it approached a ferry terminal. It sank as many passengers were either asleep or preparing to go to bed.

Heavy monsoon rains have swollen many rivers in Bangladesh.

The ferry was overcrowded and loaded with a cargo of rice and vegetables, said one survivor, Anwar Hossain. Manzoor-e-Elahi said police and residents were using boats to search for survivors.

Frequent boating accidents, often blamed on overloading, faulty construction and disregard for safety, claim hundreds of lives every year in the nation of 130 million people.