5 drown in ferry accident in Bangladesh

Dhaka, Feb 15 (UNI) Five members of a family were killed today when a minibus slipped into a river while boarding a ferry at Daulatdia ferry terminal in Manikganj district, about 80 km from here, police said.

They said the minibus driver lost control over the wheels and it fell into the Padma river. All five deceased were drowned.

Three members of the same family had a miraculous escape as they got down before the minibus proceeded to board the ferry.

The deceased identified as one Mamotaz and other members of her family were on their way to Zia International Airport to recieve her husband Jhumur Ali who was returning from Kuwait.

The law restricts bus drivers to board ferries with passengers aboard, but in the absence of regular checking by the police such accidents are frequent at ferry terminals.

UNI XC YA AS1125