Boat disaster

A BOAT packed with passengers has capsized on a river in Bangladesh, and rescuers said at least 35 people died and 20 more were missing.

The boat, carrying about 80 people, collided with a sand-laden cargo vessel in the darkness late on Saturday on the River Surma, local government officials Abul Hashem and Matiur Rahman said.

They spoke at the scene of the accident in Sunamganj district, 177km north east of the capital, Dhaka.

Some survivors swam to shore or were rescued by villagers.