The death toll after three Bangladeshi ferries capsized in stormy weather in a week increased to 146 today, rescue officials said, as hopes faded for 174 people still missing.

Divers found 32 more bodies today to boost the death toll in a weekend ferry sinking to 114, as rescuers searched for dozens more people missing in a river near the Bangladesh capital of Dhaka.

BANGLADESH navy divers used metal detectors yesterday in a vain effort to locate a ferry sucked into a whirlpool two days ago, killing hundreds of people on board.