According to local officials, a ferry carrying more than 500 people caught fire on a river in Bangladesh, killing at least 30 people and wounding more than 100 others. Rescue efforts are ongoing at the scene, and the dead toll is expected to grow.

The incident occurred on the Sugandha River near Jhalakathi and began when a fire broke out in the engine room of the MV Abhijan-10, which had departed Dhaka for the southern region of Barguna.

According to the Daily Star, at least 30 dead have been identified, but an unknown number of others are still missing. More than a hundred people were rushed to a nearby hospital, where some were claimed to be in critical condition.

The ferry was carrying at least 500 people at the time of the tragedy, according to local media, however, the local news agency estimated the number as high as 1,000. According to local media, many individuals leaped into the river to escape the flames.

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