Dozens presumed dead from a ferry sinking off Burma Skip to main content

Dozens presumed dead from a ferry sinking off Burma

Rescued ... Rescuers were frantically searching for survivors on March 14 after an overlo
Rescued ... Rescuers were frantically searching for survivors on March 14 after an overloaded ferry sank in rough waters off the coast of western Burma. Picture: AFP PHOTO Source: AFP
RESCUERS have been frantically searching for survivors after an overloaded ferry sank in rough waters off the coast of western Burma killing more than 30 people and leaving at least a dozen more missing.
The “Aung Takon 3” went down late on Friday after leaving the town of Kyaukphyu on its way to Sittwe in western Rakhine state, police said.
Officials arrive near Kyauk Phyu port, Burma near where a ferry capsized after being slam
Officials arrive near Kyauk Phyu port, Burma near where a ferry capsized after being slammed by huge waves. Picture: AP Photo/DVB Source: AP
“The latest death toll is 33 — four men including a monk and 29 women. At least 12 persons are still missing,” a police officer in Sittwe town said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
He added that 169 people had been rescued and no foreigners were believed to be on board the ship.
“We suspect that the boat sank because it was overloaded with goods,” the police officer said, adding that the ship was listed as carrying 214 passengers and crew.
Injured ... a survivor rescued after a ferry capsized near Kyauk Phyu port, Burma. Pictur
Injured ... a survivor rescued after a ferry capsized near Kyauk Phyu port, Burma. Picture: AFP PHOTO/Myanmar News Source: AFP
But locals said they feared the ferry was packed with unregistered ticket holders who would not have shown up on the ship’s manifest, a common practice on the impoverished nation’s often overcrowded ferry network.
“We don’t know how many are still missing because some people were on board without official tickets,” Hla Shwe, a local from Ngaputhone village said by telephone.
“There are many dead bodies which didn’t appear yet,” local MP Maung Lone added, also by telephone. “We estimate about 300 people were on board.” Three navy boats and a host of private vessels were sent to scour the area after news emerged that the ferry had sunk shortly after 8.30pm on Friday (Saturday 1am AEDT).
Saved ... Rescuers were frantically searching for survivors after an overloaded ferry san
Saved ... Rescuers were frantically searching for survivors after an overloaded ferry sank in rough waters off the coast of western Burma. Picture: AFP PHOTO Source: AFP
Many Burmese citizens living along the nation’s lengthy coastline and flood-prone river systems rely heavily on poorly-maintained ferries for transportation and sinkings are not uncommon.
Locals said the area where the “Aung Takon 3” capsized was notorious for its treacherous waters.

http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/dozens-presumed-dead-from-a-ferry-sinking-off-burma/story-fnizu68q-1227263169200
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sri Bhaddanta Chandramani Mahathera

The Life Story of A Distinguished And Outstanding Bhikkhu The Most Venerable Saradawpharagree Sri Bhaddanta Chandramani Mahathera The Buddhist missionary Saradaw Ashin U Chandramani was endowed with great gifts and led a famous and long life. He was a very well known, distinguished and outstanding Bhikkhu Mahathera. While living in the Kushinagar Monastery, a place close to where the Lord Buddha had passed away to Nirvana, the Government of India had offered, and he had accepted, the highest, most honourable and respected title "Guru Guru MahaGuru". He became the first ever President of all Buddhists in India.A World Buddhist Conference took place in Kathmandu during the reign of King Mahindra of Nepal. The Conference was very well attended by over one hundred thousand Buddhists from various parts of the world and it was opened by King Mahindra himself. As requested by the King, Saradawpharagree blessed all the participants with the power of Triple Gems...
Post a Comment
Read more

Thai penis whitening trend raises eyebrows

Image copyright LELUXHOSPITAL Image caption Authorities warn the procedure could be quite painful A supposed trend of penis whitening has captivated Thailand in recent days and left it asking if the country's beauty industry is taking things too far. Skin whitening is nothing new in many Asian countries, where darker skin is often associated with outdoor labour, therefore, being poorer. But even so, when a clip of a clinic's latest intriguing procedure was posted online, it quickly went viral. Thailand's health ministry has since issued a warning over the procedure. The BBC Thai service spoke to one patient who had undergone the treatment, who told them: "I wanted to feel more confident in my swimming briefs". The 30-year-old said his first session of several was two months ago, and he had since seen a definite change in the shade. 'What for?' The original Facebook post from the clinic offering the treatment, which uses lasers to break do...
1 comment
Read more

Father of Kao Tao murders suspect requests chance to talk to his son

Migrant worker's father in Rakhine State says he wants to talk to his son. Suspect Win Zaw Htun, in red shirt, sits with suspect Zaw Lin, centre, during a police "re-enactment" of the murder of two British tourists on a beach on Koh Tao, Thailand October 3. Photo: AFP/Thai Police   The murder of two British tourists on a beach in Thailand has caught media attention from around the world. With the focus now on the two Myanmar migrant workers charged with murder, Mizzima talked by phone October 8 to U Tun Tun Hteik, the father of Win Zaw Htun, 21, one of the two suspects. The father lives in Kapi village, Kyaukphyu Township in Rakhine state. Britons Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, were murdered on a beach on the Thai island of Kao Tao, 410 kilometres south of Bangkok on September 15. Controversy surrounds the efforts by the Thai authorities to solve the case, with the Thai govern...
Post a Comment
Read more