Bangladesh ferry accident toll rises to 18

Dhaka, Sept 22: The death toll in the ferry capsize in Bangladesh’s Barisal district rose to 18 on Thursday after five more bodies were retrieved, police said. The ‘ML Oishee’ capsized on Wednesday at Bariparha Upazila’s Dasherhaat point termil, bdnews24 reported. “Another five missing children’s bodies were recovered on Thursday morning which takes the number of deaths to 18,” Xinhua news agency quoted a district police official as saying. “At least eight persons are still missing. After a day of relentless efforts rescue vessel “Nirbhik” maged to drag the sunken ferry to shore and lift it up on Thursday morning,” he added. He said the search for the missing is still underway by the Fire Service and Civil Defence authorities in collaboration with law enforcers and locals. The cause of the accident is attributed to inclement weather conditions. (IANS)