17 killed as boat capsizes in Bangladesh
A boat carrying atleast 50 people capsized in the river in Netrokona district's Madan upazilaIt carried many students and teachers, while 17 people have died and 30 people were rescued alive
DHAKA : A passenger boat carrying about 50 people, including madrassa students and teachers, capsized on Wednesday in northern Bangladesh, killing at least 17 people, according to a media report.
The incident happened in Netrokona district's Madan upazila, the Dhaka Tribune reported.
A total of 48 people, including madrassa students and teachers, from Mymensingh, boarded the boat for a cruise.
So far, 17 bodies have been recovered, 30 people have been rescued alive, while one passenger remains missing, an official of Madan upazila was quoted by the paper as saying.
The cause of the accident is not immediately known.
Such accidents are common in Bangladesh.
Poor safety standards of vessels and their reckless driving have been repeatedly blamed for frequent ferry accidents in riverine Bangladesh. In most of the cases, the ferries carry passengers beyond their capacity.
In June, at least 32 people have died after a ferry capsized in Bangladesh, near the capital Dhaka.
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This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.