Toll in Bangladesh ferry capsize rises to 12

Dhaka, May 4 (IANS) The toll in ferry mishap in Bangladesh's Patuakhali district has risen to 12 Sunday after five bodies were retrieved from Golachipa river, police said.

"Another five bodies were recovered Sunday morning, which takes the total number of deaths to 12 from seven Saturday," Xinhua quoted police officer Mohammad Fakhruddin as saying.

Police said around a dozen of people were still missing.

The ferry, carrying on board about 50 to 60 passengers, sank Saturday evening in Golachipa river in southern Patuakhali district, about 204 km away from capital Dhaka, after it was hit by a nor'wester, a type of storm in Bangladesh, Fakhruddin said.

He said many passengers were able to swim ashore but the exact number of those missing was still unclear.

The officer said a rescue vessel has been called in to boost local efforts to salvage the ferry.