Toll in Bangladesh ferry capsize rises to 69

Dhaka, Feb 23: The toll in the ferry capsize in the Padma river in Bangladesh has risen to 69, according to media reports on Monday.

Bdnews24.com reported citing an official that 49 of the 69 bodies found until Monday morning were identified and handed over to their families.

The double-decker ferry "ML Mostofa-3", carrying over 100 people on its way to the Daulatdia village in Bangladesh, sank after being hit by a cargo vessel soon after leaving Paturia dock Sunday noon.

The sunken vessel was pulled out early Monday, more than 16 hours after the disaster.

The authorities will call off the rescue operation once it was possible to turn around and straighten the capsized ferry, the official said.

IANS