Dhaka, November 28: At least 18 people are dead and scores missing after a ferry packed with festival goers capsized in southern Bangladesh.
The triple-deck ferry, M.V. Coco was crowded with people heading to the Eid-ul-Azha festival from Dhaka when it tipped.
The ferry’s rear portion sank in the Tetulia River as many passengers scrambled to disembark at a terminal near Bhola.
Most of the victims were children and women, who were pulled from the sunken part of the ferry by rescuers.
Local police officer Saiful Islam said gas torches were used to cut open submerged cabins, and local residents joined police and fire brigade divers to search for survivors inside the ferry.
Some passengers jumped to the shore as the ferry started tilting at the terminal.
It was unclear how many people were on board when the boat capsized.
More than 1500 people are believed to have left Dhaka on the ferry.
—Agencies