Death toll in massive Bangladesh ferry fire rises to 40

By ABDUR RAHMAN JAHANGIR
Associated Press

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Bangladeshi authorities have buried 23 unclaimed bodies after a day-long search failed to recover more victims or survivors of a massive fire on a crowded river ferry that left 40 people dead. A government official says he has an incomplete list of 17 missing people who were on board the ferry on Friday when the fire awoke passengers around 3 a.m., forcing many to leap into cold waters and swim ashore. Divers looked for more survivors before suspending their efforts at sunset on Saturday. Fifty people are being treated in two hospitals, while 19 others have been sent home. Investigators inspected the fire-ravaged ferry and said they found some defects in the engine room. The ferry was carrying some 800 passengers.