25 die as ferry capsizes in Myanmar

y Pyi Taw, Oct 17: At least 25 people drowned when a ferry capsized in Myanmar’s northwestern Sagaing region, the country’s Fire Services Department said on Monday. Another 155 people survived the tragedy which occurred on Saturday in the Chindwin river. The ferry was enroute from Homelin to Monywa, Xinhua news agency reported. The number of those missing was yet to be confirmed. According to the regiol police authorities, at least 180 passengers were on board the ferry but survivors claimed that there were about 300 passengers who had boarded from halts along the way. There have been three similar cases within two years along the Chindwin river due to the operators contravening overloading restrictions. U Tun Tun Win, a regiol parliamentary representative, said the incident occurred due to the ferry being overloaded. (IANS)