20 dead in Myanmar boat crash

Risingbd Desk: At least 20 people were killed when their passenger boat collided with a river barge at night in western Myanmar, authorities said Saturday, with more feared drowned as rescue workers renewed their search in daylight.

Most of the dead were women, according to state media, which said the boat was carrying 80 passengers when it sank Friday evening on a river in Pathein, a port city west of the commercial capital Yangon.

The ship was filled with guests returning from a wedding, according to local media.

Photos in local media showed rescuers working in the darkness to pile the bloated bodies of the dead onshore.

Fatal boat accidents are common in Myanmar, where many people living along its flood-prone rivers rely on often overcrowded ferries for transport.

Last October 73 people, including many teachers and students, died when their packed vessel capsized in central Myanmar on the Chindwin River.

Source: Agencies



Risingbd/April 8, 2017/Mukul