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50 drown in

BD ferry disaster

DHAKA: An overcrowded ferry sank in a river in eastern Bangladesh, and at least 50 people were feared drowned, police said on Wednesday.

The bodies of six women and two men were found from the hulk of the ferry which was salvaged by rescuers, police said. Divers are searching for 42 missing people.

The boat was carrying 100 passengers, about twice its capacity, when it capsized on Tuesday in Narail district, east of Dhaka, the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha news agency said.

Local fishermen rescued 30 people and another 20 swam to safety, the news agency quoted officials as saying.-AP