Bangladesh ferry tragedy death toll rises to 20

2009/11/28

DHAKA, Sat: The death toll from ferry capsize in Bangladesh's Bhola district, 197 km southeast of capital Dhaka, rose to 20, police said today. Saifur Hossain, chief of police in Bhola district, told China's Xinhua news agency that the rescuers have so far recovered 20 bodies and he expected more bodies will be recovered.

The ferry carring many passengers who were returning home from Dhaka to celebrate Aidiladha, one of the biggest holidays for Muslim, capsized Friday night in Nazirpur ferry station when the passengers tried to get down from the ferry in a mess.

Millions of people have left the capital for their home towns by trains, buses and ferries to celebrate Aidiladha which falls on Nov 28 this year in Bangladesh. -- BERNAMA