Dhaka: Around 600 people are missing and feared dead after a ferry carrying 750 passengers capsized in Southern Bangladesh.

The double-decker ferry was heading from Dhaka to Southern Bhola district when it sank in mid river near Chandarpur town shortly before midnight on July 8, media reports said.

Around 150 passengers, who were on the upper deck, swam to safety.

Besides being overloaded with passengers, the ferry M.V Nasreen-1 was carrying huge quantities of onion, rice and iron rods, vernacular daily 'The Jugantor' said quoting two surviving cabin boys.

Two ferries were to leave for Hularghat in Bhola district. However, one of the ferries could not leave as scheduled leading to the overcrowding of the ferry, the report said.

The ferry is now lying in the river bed about 200 feet under water.

The Ministry of Shipping after a spate of several riverine accidents recently ordered that ferries should avoid overloading.

PTI