MANIKGANJ: At least 70 bodies were recovered from the launch MV Mostafa, which capsized Sunday noon in the river Padma with more than 150 passengers on board.

Among the deceased, there are 13 minors and 30 women.

Sources said divers of fire service and civil defense recovered the bodies from the sunken launch till Monday noon as the administration declared ending of the rescue operation.

However, some rescuers will remain there to recover the floating bodies.

The rescue team with the help of rescue ship ‘Rustam’ also recovered the sunken launch after 14 hours of capsize around 2:45am Monday.

Manikganj Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rashida Ferdous briefed the media at DC’s temporary Management Cell at 10:30am.

Information center sources said 69 bodies were handed over to their relatives while another body remained unidentified.

Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan rushed to the spot to monitor the salvage operation.

Manikganj Superintendent of Police (SP) Bidhan Tripura and senior officers of the administration also visited the accident site.

Moreover, Shibalaya Upazila Health Complex of Manikganj has been operating a medical support centre in Paturia ghat area.

Some 11 divers of Bangladesh Navy joined the rescue operation.

BIWTA chairman Shamsudduha Khondaker announced that family members of the each deceased of will get Tk 1.25 lakh.

The launch, heading for Daulatdia, capsized after being hit by a Baghabari-bound fertilizer-laden cargo in the middle of the river Padma around 11:45am.

Law enforcers, however, seized the cargo vessel Nargis-1 from Paturia ghat.

BDST: 0833 HRS, FEB 23, 2015/Update : 1815  HRS

** 41 bodies recovered from sunken launch