Overloaded Ferry Capsizes in Bangladesh: Rough River Currents and High Winds Doom Vessel Today

Dhaka, Bangladesh—An overcrowded wooden passenger ferry capsized in turbulent river waters lashed by high gales on Tuesday afternoon. The vessel took on water rapidly after a sudden squall whipped up massive whitecaps across the swollen channel. Passengers panicked as the hull tilted violently to one side under the shifting weight. Scores of commuters were plunged into the muddy, fast-flowing river currents as the ferry sank beneath the surface.

Local villagers and motorized boatmen rushed to the riverbanks to pull struggling swimmers from the water. Fire service divers and naval rescue units arrived with specialized extraction gear to comb the submerged wreckage. Authorities confirmed that the vessel was carrying well beyond its registered passenger capacity. Relatives crowded along the muddy embankments crying out for missing family members.

District administration officials set up an emergency coordination tent to manage casualty information. Initial survivor accounts highlighted a complete absence of life jackets onboard the vessel. Medical teams administered emergency oxygen and dry clothing to those pulled alive from the current. Police secured the dock perimeter to prevent overcrowding by distraught onlookers hindering rescue vehicles.

Heavy salvage vessels deployed winches to secure the submerged ferry hull against the river floor. Strong wind gusts continued to buffet rescue boats, hampering underwater visibility for divers. Transport ministry inspectors announced a formal judicial inquiry into lax safety enforcement along regional waterways.