Seven more bodies found in Padma

Seven more bodies floating kilometres downstream from the site of Sunday's launch accident in the Padma were recovered yesterday, raising the death toll to 78.

Rescuers found the bodies of three children, three men and a woman at Maluchi and Andharmanik points during the search operation, fire service officials said.

Manikganj district administration handed over the bodies to their relatives, said Md Rajibul Islam, additional district magistrate.

At least seven people, who were on board the single-decker vessel   MV Mostafa, are still missing  according to their family members, he said. 

MV Mostafa sank with around 200 passengers in the Padma after being hit by cargo vessel Nargis-1 Sunday morning.

After conducting round the clock salvage operation, rescuers recovered 70 bodies and pulled the capsized vessel to the shore.

On Tuesday, district administration officials announced that only five bodies were found. But fire service officials said eight bodies were recovered during Tuesday's rescue operation.

Asked whether there had been any mistakes in registering the names of missing people, magistrate Rajibul said that relatives did not register the names of some missing people.

People are still gathering in the control room to register names of their missing relatives, he added.

Deputy Commissioner Rashida Ferdous said the rescue operation would continue to find out the missing persons.