Join our crew and become one of the 104,819 members that receive our newsletter.

miraj 4 ferry capsize salvage

Bangladesh Salvages Capsized Ferry, 54 Bodies Recovered

Reuters
Total Views: 22
May 17, 2014

Rescue members inspect the capsized M.V. Miraj 4 ferry during a salvage operation at the Meghna river at Rasulpur in Munshiganj district May 17, 2014. Rescue workers in Bangladesh expected to find scores of bodies on Saturday trapped between the decks of the river ferry that capsized two days earlier with around 200 people on board. (c) REUTERS

reuters logoBy Serajul Quadir

DHAKA, May 17 (Reuters) – Rescue workers in Bangladesh completed the search of a stricken river ferry on Saturday, bringing the number of bodies recovered to 54 two days after the vessel capsized with around 200 people on board.

“We were able to salvage the capsized ferry today and there are no more bodies inside the wreck,” said Saiful Islam Badal, deputy commissioner of Munshiganj district.

About 40 people swam to shore and 35 were rescued after the double-decker ferry went down in the Meghna river near the capital Dhaka during a storm on Thursday afternoon, police and rescue officials said.

An official of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) said the M.V Miraj 4 ferry had capacity for 122 passengers, but according to several survivors and a district official the number on board was almost double, though there was no log kept.

Divers attached chains to one side to pull the ferry right side up on Saturday. At the end of the day, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) declared the end of the rescue operation inside the vessel, but Saiful said a search of the river would go on.

“Rescuers from the navy, coast guard and police will continue to search while there is a possibility of finding more bodies in the river,” he said.

Hungry and enduring the summer heat, grieving relatives thronged the river bank. Many were wailing in distress, and voiced anger that the rescue operation had been ended.

“I am here to find out what happened to my uncle and my brother and I cannot go back to my home without them,” said Mukhlesur Rahman.

Low-lying Bangladesh, with extensive inland waterways and slack safety standards, has an appalling record of ferry accidents, with casualties sometimes running into the hundreds.

Overcrowding is a common factor in many of these accidents and each time the government vows to toughen regulations.

In March 2012, a ferry sank near the same spot, killing at least 145 people.

The district administration of Munshiganj has decided to give 20,000 taka ($256) to each of the families of a deceased. (Reporting By Serajul Quadir; Editing by Rosalind Russell)

(c) 2014 Thomson Reuters, All Rights Reserved

Unlock Exclusive Insights Today!

Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.

Sign Up
Back to Main
polygon icon polygon icon

Why Join the gCaptain Club?

Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.

Sign Up
close

JOIN OUR CREW

Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 104,819 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.

Join Our Crew

Join the 104,819 members that receive our newsletter.