Bangladesh ferry sinks at sea killing 70

At least 70 people were missing after a ferry capsized in the Bay of Bengal on Monday while sailing to Chittagong port in Bangladesh from a nearby island, police confirmed.

One child was found dead but rescuers pulled out about 80 other passengers alive after M.V. Madina went down with around 150 people on board.

Police and rescuers earlier said the ferry was carrying more than 200 people.

Police described the sunken vessel as a large cargo boat that was often used to ferry people between Sandwip island and Chittagong.

"Soon we shall call off the search for tonight as it is very dark, and will resume next morning," a coast guard officer told reporters in Chittagong.

Police said most of the passengers were returning to Chittagong after celebrating the Muslim Eid al-Fitr festival with relatives on Sandwip island.

Hundreds of Bangladeshis die in ferry accidents every year, mostly blamed on loading beyond the boats' listed capacity, Reuters reports.

V.Y.