[UPDATED] 14 Dead in Bangladesh Ferry Collision

UPDATE:

Rescuers have recovered a total of 14 bodies after a ferry capsized in central Bangladesh. It is believed that there were up to 100 passengers aboard the vessel at the time of the incident.

Two bodies were discovered on Friday, and 12 more on Saturday. The search and rescue operation was called off later on Saturday, but some are still missing. Over 50 people were rescued safely or swam to shore following the collision.

It is still unclear over the actual number of passengers onboard the sunken ferry; they are often overcrowded.

Commenting on Friday’s Bangladesh ferry sinking, Nick Bramley, chair of the ITF inland navigation section and Nautilus International senior national secretary in Switzerland, said: “This is another totally avoidable accident that – like so many in Asia and Africa – will doubtless be linked to failing regulation, lack of enforcement, dangerous working and overcrowding.

“This latest incident shows the crying need for decent standards for vessels, for proper enforcement, and for training and certification for crew members.”

He continued: “These dangerous conditions  are exactly what our affiliated union the Bangladesh Noujan Sramik Federation has been repeatedly warning about for years.”

A passenger ferry has capsized along the Meghna River in Bangladesh following a collision with a cargo, leaving dozens missing.

The ferry, which had left Narayanganj Friday morning bound for Matlab, struck the sand-carrying ship about 22 miles south of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh.

Hundreds of locals have gathered at the scene of the accident in an attempt to locate missing relatives.

Local authorities and witnesses said about 50 people made it to shore and others were rescued alive from the river. Police on scene are expecting casualties once the sunken ferry is retrieved.

Rescuers continue to search for survivors. As of now, no casualties have been confirmed.