Over 100 people are missing and rescue teams have recovered 23 bodies after a coastal ferry sank at the mouth of the Naung-Daw-Gyi River off the coast of Arakan State at about 8.30pm on 13 March.
Ko Maung Maung a resident from Myebon Township, who told Narinjara News about the accident, said the boat was travelling between Myebon and Kyaukpyu Townships when it sank.
He said: “According to the latest news local residents said that there were over 400 people on the ferry, 23 bodies were recovered and 175 people were saved.”
He added that the ferry was called the Aung Ta Khon 3 and that it started its journey in Taunggup Township and its final destination was due to be Sittwe Township.
He said: “According to the latest information it sank near Myauk-Kyain-Pike Port. The bodies of the people who were inside the ferry have not been found yet and they may only be [found] after the ship is recovered.”
U Aung Win the state parliament member for Myebon Township said: “We received the news that many people died in the accident. Among them were teachers who were returning back home for their holiday vacations.”
He added that he had heard that there were over 400 passengers onboard the ferry and that it was overloaded.
Daw Ma Pu Chay a Myebon Township resident said that the Aung Ta Khon 3 was an old ferry and that it sunk because it was overloaded.
Township and state level authorities and rescue workers from Kyaukpyu Township had arrived and were working to salvage the ferry.
Translated by Aung Myat Soe English version written by Mark Inkey for BNI
