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| The latest maritime tragedy to hit Bangladesh happened in the early hours in a river near Jhalokathi. (Photo by= AFP) |
[Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] DHAKA: At least 37 people died when an overcrowded night ferry caught fire in Bangladesh on Friday (Dec 24), police said, as terrified passengers leaped overboard to escape the blaze, AFP reported.
The latest maritime tragedy to hit the impoverished low-lying nation happened in the early hours in a river near Jhalokathi, 250km south of Dhaka. "We have recovered 37 bodies. The death toll may rise. Most died from the fire and a few by drowning after many people jumped into the river," local police chief Moinul Islam told AFP. The blaze was believed to have originated in the engine room and ripped through the ferry, Islam said. Despite having an official capacity of 310 the vessel was carrying at least 500 people, many of who were returning home from the capital.
Witnesses said the fire originated at around 3am and quickly spread. Other survivors said they saw a small fire in the engine room as soon as the packed ferry set off from the Sadarghat river station in Dhaka at 9pm on Thursday. Johar Ali, the local district administrator, said rescuers arrived at the scene within an hour after the fire broke out and rushed the injured to nearby hospitals.
