Bangladesh ferry toll rises to 21

Dhaka, Aug 7 (IANS) The toll in a ferry that capsized in Bangladesh rose to 21 on Thursday, after 10 more bodies were recovered, an official said.

"With the recovery of 10 more bodies, the toll in the ferry capsize rose to 21 on Thursday morning," Tofazzal Hossain, officer-in-charge of Lauhajang Police Station in Munshiganj district, told Xinhua.

The overcrowded vessel sank with some 250 passengers in Padma river in Munshiganj district on Monday.

According to officials, over 100 people are still missing.

Many victims of the accident are believed to be trapped below the deck.

Hundreds of relatives and friends of the passengers Thursday gathered at the accident site.

Some of them have expressed resentment over the slow pace of the rescue operation.

The officials, however, attribute it to the inclement weather.

Ferry and boat disasters are common in Bangladesh, which is criss-crossed by about 250 rivers. Ferry is still a key means of transport in Bangladesh.