By Ebi Kesiena
No fewer than 20 persons were killed and dozens remain missing, as a boat packed with passengers and a sand-laden cargo ship collided in a lake in eastern Bangladesh.
According to local official Hayat-ud-Doula Khan, the boat was reportedly carrying some 60 passengers when the incident occurred late Friday on a lake in the town of Bijoynagar.
The cargo ship’s steel tip and the boat collided, causing the passenger vessel to capsize, he said.
“We have recovered 21 bodies including nine women and six children so far,” he stated.
Lamenting on the likely possibility of recovering more dead bodies, Khan stated that it was unclear how many people were on board at the time of the collision, and exactly how many remain missing.
Also, local Fire Service Spokesman, Taufiqul Islam said divers were searching the scene for bodies, and reinforcements had been called in from neighbouring towns as locals have joined the rescue efforts.
Police said at least seven people were taken to a local hospital after they were rescued from the sunken boat.
