17 October 2016•Update: 17 October 2016
By Kyaw Ye Lynn
YANGON, Myanmar
Authorities said Monday that 35 bodies have been recovered from the muddy waters of a central Myanmar river after a heavily overloaded ferry sank at the weekend.
The Aung Soe Moe Kyaw -- carrying around 300 passengers, including a large number of university students, teachers and civil servants -- capsized Saturday on Chindwin River in the central Sagaing Region.
Authorities have raised concerns that the boat may have been overloaded when it set out, although it is then reported to have picked up even more passengers.
Local police officer Htein Lin told Anadolu Agency on Monday that local residents and divers had helped recover the dead from the river, about 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) north of the city of Monywa.
“We found 35 bodies, and dozens remain missing,” he said by phone.
Although 154 passengers have been rescued since the boat sank, there may have been as many as 300 aboard, far above the authorized limit, according to police.
"The search is continuing,” Htein Lin added.
Many of those on board the packed ferry were returning to their homes for the light festival -- a major Buddhist religious event.
Four crew have been detained after the incident.
“Crews confessed that the ferry was also carrying too heavy a cargo,” Htein Lin said.
Boat accidents are common in Myanmar, where people living along the nation's long coastline and flood-prone river systems rely heavily on often-overcrowded ferries for transport.
