The death toll from the sinking of the overcrowded ferry carrying Hindu devotees in northern Bangladesh rose to 61 on Tuesday, September 27, with many still missing 2 days after the marine accident.
Onlookers/relatives of the missing gathered along the river bank as rescuers were still searching for bodies, as some are still missing, witnesses revealed.
According to Jahurul Islam (Panchagarh's chief administrator), where the disaster occurred, the dead so far included 28 women and 18 children.
The boat was taking Hindu devotees to a temple on the occasion of Mahalaya when Hindus make offerings to their ancestors.
The death toll is the worst for a maritime disaster in Bangladesh since 2015, when 78 people died after an overcrowded ferry collided with a cargo ship in a river west of the capital, Dhaka.
A 5-member committee was investigating the sinking but initial reports suggested the ferry was carrying almost 3 times its capacity.
Police said that, while some of the travelers managed to swim ashore/were rescued, ~10 were still missing.
Passengers said that 80+ people had been onboard.