Ferry with 50 people sinks in Bangladesh river

Dhaka, Oct 23: A ferry carrying at least 50 people sank in a Bangladesh river today following a collision with a cargo vessel, officials said.

Rescuers have been sent to the accident site at Gazaria 40 km southeast of the capital Dhaka on the Meghna River.

''The ferry M V Baba Shahparan sank immediately after the collision. We have no report of casualties yet or further details at the moment,'' an official of Bangladesh Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) said.

He said the small ferry was overcrowded with home bound passengers ahead of Muslim Eid al-Fitr festival.

Hundreds of people die in ferry disasters in Bangladesh almost every year.

Reuters