The death toll in Bangladesh's MV Mostafa ferry disaster rose to 79, according to the latest official count of bodies recovered. On the river Padma, near Shivalaya Upazila sub-district, the motor launch Mostafa carrying over 200 passengers capsized after being hit on 22 February by the 330 gt cargo vessel Nargis-1, which was carrying fertiliser.
Shivalaya Upazila Nirbahi district executive officer Galiv Khan, also in charge of the ferry accident control room, told IHS Maritime this morning that nine further bodies had been recovered following the previous official count of 70 bodies on 23 February. He added that relatives have claimed 78 bodies. The unidentified body was transferred to the local hospital morgue.
The recovered bodies comprised 19 children, 25 women and 35 men, Fire Service control room manager Enayet Hossain confirmed to IHS Maritime.
Bangladesh Department of Shipping (DOS) officials estimate some 120 passengers were saved from the river by rescuers. The relatives of an estimated 20 passengers still reported missing are continuing the search for bodies in the Padma, a lower tributary of the Ganges. They have registered the missing persons' names with the police. Khan said he had received five names and the search for bodies continues.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority said the Mostafa was salvaged on 23 February using the salvage ship Rustam. The captain of the Nargis-1 has been arrested. A DoS team is now investigating the cause of the accident.
Friday 27 February 2015
http://www.ihsmaritime360.com/article/16874/bangladesh-ferry-death-toll-rises-to-79
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