32 dead in ferry sinking

32 bodies have been recovered from the wreck of a ferry that sank Monday morning on the Buriganga River in Dhaka, Bangladesh, according to the Maritime Executive.

The ferry, Morning Bird, was struck from behind just yards from the busy pier at Sadarghat during the morning rush hour. Morning Bird was departing her slip at the time of the collision when the Moyur-2, a larger vessel from Chandpur, which was in reverse at speed, slammed into her stern. A few seconds later, Morning Bird went upside down and started sinking under Moyur-2, which was still moving in reverse, according to local online news outlet BDnews24.

The head of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), Golam Sadeqk, told the AFP that the vessel was properly licensed through to September and that it was not overcrowded at the time of the collision.

Rescue divers have retrieved 32 bodies from the wreck so far, including the remains of three children, and the search continues. The low visibility in the muddy Buriganga River has complicated the search and recovery effort.

An investigation into the cause of the collision and sinking is under way with Sadeqk indicating that human error is the suspected cause, according to the Maritime Executive. As many as 100 people were on board at the time of the capsizing.

BDnews24 reports that the authorities have seized the Moyur-2 and arrested two members of the staff. The others, including the master, have fled.