FO pays condolences to Bangladesh over ferry accident

Pakistan expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives on Monday after a ferry carrying around 50 passengers collided with a cargo vessel and sank on April 4 in the Shitalakhsya River, south of Bangladesh's capital Dhaka.

At least 26 people have so far been reported dead, whereas a few are still missing.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri expressed heartfelt condolences to the government and brotherly people of Bangladesh and the bereaved families.

Earlier it was reported that 21 bodies had been recovered on Monday. The ferry sank just after it departed from the industrial Narayanganj district about 20 kms (12 miles) from Dhaka, to Munshiganj, said Mustain Billah, Narayanganj district administrator.

“Most of the bodies were found inside the sunken boat after it was dragged to the bank,” he said, adding a few still could be missing.

Police and officials said some of the passengers managed to swim ashore.

Read Bangladesh ferry accident kills at least 26

Relatives gathered at the river bank to search for their loved ones. Rescuers, including divers from the fire brigade, were searching for survivors on Monday while salvage operations were hampered by a storm last night.

The boat was packed with people rushing to leave the city after the government announced a week-long nationwide lockdown from Monday to tackle a spike in Covid-19 cases.

Hundreds of people die each year in ferry accidents in Bangladesh, a low-lying country that has extensive inland waterways but lax safety standards.