4 dead as boat sinks in Bangladesh's Buriganga river

DHAKA - At least four people died after a boat carrying 20 people sank in Bangladesh's Buriganga river near the capital Dhaka on Sunday (July 16), a fire service official said.

Most of the passengers were believed to have swum ashore as the water bus sank close to the bank, according to fire service official Anwarul Islam.

Four bodies have been recovered, and the rescue operation is ongoing, police official Sahabuddin Kabir told Reuters.

Seven people have been rescued and taken to hospitals, the police said.

Hundreds of onlookers gathered at the site as rescuers in multiple boats scanned the river with flashlights, according to a Reuters witness.

ALSO READ: At least 19 killed in bus accident in Bangladesh