Nearly 40 dead in Bangladesh launch capsize

Dhaka, May 13: Nearly 40 people died in a launch capsize in Kishoreganj district of north-east Bangladesh, police said today.

The launch MV Chandpur with more than 150 passengers on board was caught in a storm and capsized in Ghorautra River in Nikli sub-district yesterday afternoon. Rescuers recovered bodies of 20 men, 16 women and three children so far. Nikli Thana police officer Jahangir Alam said that divers of the Fire Brigade recovered the bodies from inside the launch. ''We apprehend the death toll may go up with the salvage of the launch,'' he said.

UNI