At least 28 people are reported dead as a passenger vessel sank in Buriganga river near the Shyambazar area of Dhaka on Monday morning. The official news agency BSS reported that the search and rescue operations are continuing even while 28 bodies have been recovered so far from the river.

According to the Fire Service official involved in the rescue work, the Dhaka bound launch from Munshiganj sank after hitting another river vehicle around 9.30 in the morning on Monday. The passenger launch was carrying more than 50 people.

Rescue operation is being conducted by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), fire service, river police, coast guard and Bangladesh Navy’s diving team.