Dozens feared dead in Bangladesh ferry accident

At least 40 people are confirmed dead and many more missing after a ferry carrying nearly 150 passengers capsized in Bangladesh, a police official said on Tuesday.

"Till now we have recovered 40 bodies from inside the ferry," said Mohammad Jahangir Alam, the officer in charge of Nikli police station in Kishoreganj district, northeast of the capital, Dhaka.

Jahangir said the ferry was caught in a storm on Monday and capsized in the Ghorautura river, nearly 180 kms (113 miles) from Dhaka.

He said that of nearly 150 passengers aboard, only about 25 managed to swim ashore.

"We hope to recover the ferry before sunset," Jahangir told Reuters.

Ferry accidents occur frequently in riverine Bangladesh and hundreds of people die every year.

Poor enforcement of safety laws means boats are often badly serviced and generally packed well beyond capacity.