Death Toll In Bangladesh Boat Accident Rises To 33

At least 33 people including women and children have been killed as a passenger boat carrying about 150 passengers capsized on the Buriganga river near the Bangladesh capital Thursday afternoon. Police said the MV Sourav launch was sailing from the Dhaka Sadarghat Terminal to Munshiganj district, about 30 km southeast from here, but it soon capsized after being hit by a sand carrying cargo near the Buriganga First Bridge.The body of a child being recovered by the Fire Brigade personnel from the river Buriganga near BangladeshA news agency reported that when the accident occurred, about 70 people jumped off the vessel and swam to safety. Fire brigade and coast guard divers have so far recovered 33 bodies. Dozens of passengers were feared trapped inside the launch. Salvage ship MV Rustam has reached the accident site from Narayanganj district, about 20 km southeast from here, to tug the launch off the waters. The death toll may go up further with the salvage of launch. Home affairs and shipping adviser M.A. Matin visited the site and said the government would provide compensation to the families of the dead. A committee will be formed with three officials to probe the accident and will be asked to submit a report in 12-15 days, Matin said.