More than three dozen dead, scores missing

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — More than three dozen people are dead and scores missing after a ferry packed with hundreds of travelers capsized in Bangladesh.

The triple-deck ferry was crowded with people heading home from Dhaka to celebrate an Islamic festival.

Some survivors say the boat hit a river shoal as it approached the terminal, breaking the hull and allowing water in. As passengers scrambled to disembark, the vessel then tipped and partially sank.

Hundreds of anxious relatives have gathered on the river bank. Some complained that rescue work was slow, with officials off for the holiday.

Police said they were waiting for a rescue vessel to pull the submerged ferry from the water.

It's unclear how many people were aboard the ferry. A television report says it was carrying more than 1,500 people but many had already disembarked when it sank.

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<<APPHOTO DEL109 (11/28/09)>>

: The triple-deck ferry, M.V. Coco, floats after it tipped and its rear portion sank in the Tetulia River late Friday near the coastal town of Bhola, 64 miles (104 kilometers) south of Dhaka, Bangladesh, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009. The ferry packed with people going home for an Islamic festival capsized as they disembarked at a terminal in southern Bangladesh, authorities said Saturday.

<<CUT …047 (11/28/09)>> 00:16 "it went underwater"

Farid Hossain

AP Correspondent Farid Hossain reports the ferry that capsized in southern Bangladesh was bringing people home from a Muslim festival and was very overcrowded.

<<CUT …048 (11/28/09)>> 00:15 "were actually everywhere"

Farid Hossain

AP Correspondent Farid Hossain reports there were probably triple the number of passengers that should've been allowed onto the ferry that was bringing religious pilgrims back from a Muslim holiday event.

<<CUT …049 (11/28/09)>> 00:08 "not really followed"

Farid Hossain

AP Correspondent Farid Hossain reports that safety standards are often ignored so ferry accidents occur frequently in Bangladesh.

<<APPHOTO DEL110 (11/28/09)>>

: A woman weeps as she stands with others watching the triple-deck ferry, M.V. Coco, floating after it tipped and its rear portion sank in the Tetulia River late Friday near the coastal town of Bhola, 64 miles (104 kilometers) south of Dhaka, Bangladesh, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009. The ferry packed with people going home for an Islamic festival capsized as they disembarked at a terminal in southern Bangladesh, authorities said Saturday.

<<APPHOTO DEL109 (11/28/09)>>

: The triple-deck ferry, M.V. Coco, floats after it tipped and its rear portion sank in the Tetulia River late Friday near the coastal town of Bhola, 64 miles (104 kilometers) south of Dhaka, Bangladesh, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009. The ferry packed with people going home for an Islamic festival capsized as they disembarked at a terminal in southern Bangladesh, authorities said Saturday.