11 die in Bangladesh boat capsize

The boat was carrying about 100 passengers on the Surma river when it capsized after a fire broke out on Monday night.

At least 11 people were killed when a motor boat capsized after catching fire in north—eastern Bangladesh, police said on Tuesday.

The boat was carrying about 100 passengers on the Surma river near Doarabazar in Sunamganj district, nearly 200 km north—west of capital Dhaka, when the fire broke out on Monday night, police officer Harunur Rashid said.

The fire may have been started by a cooking stove, and caused many to panic and jump overboard before the capsize, Rashid said, adding that more than 50 passengers managed to swim ashore.

Most of those on board were day labourers at a stone quarry in the district, across the border from the Indian hill State of Meghalaya, he said, quoting survivors.