Bangladeshi officials announced today that 29 bodies have been pulled from the Meghna River after a double-decker ferry sunk on Thursday.
The overcrowded MV Miraj-4 was traveling from Dhaka to Shariatpur during a tropical storm when it capsized. Officials estimate that there are 200-300 people still missing, but there is no passenger list to check against.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority Director Mohammad Ali said that in addition to being overloaded with passengers, the ferry was also overloaded with goods. Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan added that investigators will also explore if the vessel's design led to its capsizing.
A survivor, known only as Sabuj, told the Associated Press that the captain was told to cruise close to shore because of the poor weather and current conditions, "but he continued to steer the ship."
As the ferry took on water, Sabuj and about 25 other passengers leapt overboard and swam to shore.
The crew may have swam to shore as well, and officials said they likely fled the area after the sinking.
"We are looking for them," Police Chief Ferdous Ahmed told AP.
Meanwhile, families of the ferry victims are engaging in their own search for their family members.
Many Bangladeshis took their boats onto the river to look for the missing passengers. Others gathered near the Meghna River shore, sobbing, awaiting news about their loved ones.
"I came here yesterday for my brother but I don't have any trace yet," Lokman Hossain lamented. "Nobody can assure me of anything.
"Won't I get my brother back? Oh brother, please come back," he cried.
Unfortunately, ferry accidents are very common in Bangladesh. The country has over 200 rivers, and sea vessels are often overcrowded, in disrepair, and unregulated.
