MOSCOW, November 30 (RIA Novosti) - A rescue ship has lifted an upside down ferry boat, which capsized in southern Bangladesh last week, killing at least 56 people, the Voice of America reported.
The overcrowded ferry sank late on Friday on the Tetulia River off Bangladesh's Bhola island. Officials said there were more than 1,500 people on board the ferry, while it had a capacity of 650 passengers.
The people were travelling from the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, to Bhola for the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha, the Voice of America website said.
Survivors were quoted by the website as saying the boat ran aground as it approached the dock and began taking on water. The boat toppled as passengers weighted down one side while trying to abandon the ship.
The vessel was righted more than 36 hours after it capsized, the Voice of America said. A rescue operation is underway, and many of the passengers are believed to be still trapped in the ferry's cabins.
Police was quoted as saying most of the victims were children and women.
Xinhua quoted Inland Water Transport authorities as saying about 1,000 people die in ferry accidents every year in the country.
