Ferry death toll climbs to 150, with 380 missing

Seventy-two more bodies have washed ashore days after an overcrowded ferry sank with about 750 people on board in southern Bangladesh, officials in Chandpur said today.

Some 380 people were still missing and presumed dead.

The overnight recovery of the bodies raised the confirmed death toll from Tuesday’s ferry disaster to 150.

Bloated and decomposing bodies were found a few miles downstream from southeastern Chandpur, where the vessel capsized.

Using metal detectors, a navy ship resumed its search today for the sunken ferry, thought to be 200 feet under turbulent waters. Another three vessels were ready to start salvage work once the ferry was found.

The MV Nasreen sank on Tuesday night with about 750 people aboard. Authorities said 220 survived. The ferry had an official capacity of 350 passengers.

The vessel went down at a meeting point of three rivers, the Padma, Meghna and Dakatia, near Chandpur town, 60 miles southeast of the Bangladesh capital, Dhaka.

Some victims were believed to be trapped inside.

Hundreds of relatives – many without shelter, food or money – lined the river bank, desperately waiting for news of the missing. Some hired local fishermen to search for bodies in the river with nets.

Official investigators have cited overcrowding or incompetence as possible causes of the disaster, an official said on Friday.