Death Toll Hits 73 in Myanmar Ferry Disaster
The death toll in a Myanmar ferry sinking has reached 73, authorities said on Friday, as they wrapped up a week-long search and rescue operation for survivors and prepared to launch an inquiry into the cause of the disaster. Marine accidents are common in Myanmar, where many people rely for transport on crowded boats that are often in a state of disrepair. The ferry sank early on Saturday, about 85 miles (137 km) northwest of Mandalay, Myanmar's second biggest city, as it travelled between the towns of Homalin and Monywa. "We were able to salvage the sunken ferry yesterday and we don't expect to find any more bodies, so we've suspended the official rescue operation," said Ko Ko Naing, an official of Myanmar's social welfare ministry.
Myanmar Ferry Sinks, 32 Dead, Scores Missing
A ferry sank in a river in northwestern Myanmar, killing at least 32 people with scores missing, a rescue official said on Monday. About 150 people had been rescued from the Chindwin river in the Sagaing region after the ferry capsized on Saturday, said Sa Willy Frank, head of the regional relief department. As of about 4 p.m. on Monday, 32 bodies had been recovered, leaving more than 60 people still unaccounted for amid a continuing salvage operation, he said. Kyaw Htay Lwin, a lawmaker in the Sagaing regional parliament, said the number of missing could be higher. "I heard from witnesses that the boat was packed with at least 300 passengers, despite its official capacity of around 120," he said. The ferry was travelling from Homalin to Monywa when it sank at about 5 a.m.
