25 missing after boat capsizes in Bangladesh

At least 25 people were missing on Monday after a cargo boat collided with another vessel and capsized in the river Meghna in southern Bangladesh, police said.

At least 25 people were missing on Monday after a cargo boat collided with another vessel and capsized in the river Meghna in southern Bangladesh, police said.

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Police inspector M. Quamruzzaman told AFP that 50 labourers were on the boat, which was transporting sand when it was hit by a bigger vessel in dense early morning fog.

"The master of the boat told us that 25 people are missing while the rest were rescued by other vessels. Divers arrived in the site and are trying to locate the boat," he said.

Boat and ferry accidents due to poor safety standards and overloading are common in Bangladesh, which is criss-crossed by a network of 230 rivers.