Crowded triple-deck ferry sinks in Bangladesh

DHAKA, Bangladesh -- A ferry carrying about 750 people capsized in southern Bangladesh, with some 600 people missing and feared dead, rescue officials said Wednesday.

The triple-deck ferry was traveling from Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, to the southern Bhola district when it sank late Tuesday near Chandpur town, 40 miles south of Dhaka, said Manzoor-e-Elahi, the area's government administrator.

About 150 people either swam to shore or were rescued by local fishermen, he said. No bodies have been recovered so far, officials said.

Survivors said the ferry, the MV Nasrin-2, careened when it hit turbulent waters where the Padma, Meghna and Dakatia rivers merge as it approached a ferry terminal. It sank as many passengers were either asleep or preparing to go to bed.

Heavy monsoon rains have swollen many rivers in Bangladesh.

The ferry was overcrowded and was loaded with a cargo of rice and vegetables, said one survivor, Anwar Hossain.

Elahi said police and local people were using boats to search for survivors.

Ferry accidents claim hundreds of lives every year in the delta nation of 130 million people.

The boating accidents, often blamed on overloading, faulty construction and disregard for safety measures, caused Bangladesh officials to ban night travel by ferries. But that ban was lifted in April following protests by boat operators.

In return for the lifting of the ban, ferry owners promised not to operate their vessels in inclement weather and to follow safety regulations.

Two river ferries went down on April 21 in separate accidents near Dhaka, killing more than 135 people.