Dozens presumed dead from a ferry sinking off Burma

DUE to overloading of unregistered tickets holders, officials say they don’t know how many are missing from a sunken ferry off the coast of Burma.

TOPSHOTS A survivor (2-R) from an overloaded ferry that sank is helped as she arrives at Kyaukphyu jetty in western Myanmar Rakhine state on March 14, 2015. Rescuers were frantically searching for survivors on March 14 after an overloaded ferry sank in rough waters off the coast of western Myanmar killing at least 21 and leaving dozens more missing. AFP PHOTO

RESCUERS have been frantically searching for survivors after an overloaded ferry sank in rough waters off the coast of western Burma killing more than 30 people and leaving at least a dozen more missing.

The “Aung Takon 3” went down late on Friday after leaving the town of Kyaukphyu on its way to Sittwe in western Rakhine state, police said.

Officials arrive near Kyauk Phyu port, Burma near where a ferry capsized after being slammed by huge waves. Picture: AP Photo/DVB

“The latest death toll is 33 — four men including a monk and 29 women. At least 12 persons are still missing,” a police officer in Sittwe town said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

He added that 169 people had been rescued and no foreigners were believed to be on board the ship.

“We suspect that the boat sank because it was overloaded with goods,” the police officer said, adding that the ship was listed as carrying 214 passengers and crew.

Injured ... a survivor rescued after a ferry capsized near Kyauk Phyu port, Burma. Picture: AFP PHOTO/Myanmar News

But locals said they feared the ferry was packed with unregistered ticket holders who would not have shown up on the ship’s manifest, a common practice on the impoverished nation’s often overcrowded ferry network.

“We don’t know how many are still missing because some people were on board without official tickets,” Hla Shwe, a local from Ngaputhone village said by telephone.

“There are many dead bodies which didn’t appear yet,” local MP Maung Lone added, also by telephone. “We estimate about 300 people were on board.” Three navy boats and a host of private vessels were sent to scour the area after news emerged that the ferry had sunk shortly after 8.30pm on Friday (Saturday 1am AEDT).

Saved ... Rescuers were frantically searching for survivors after an overloaded ferry sank in rough waters off the coast of western Burma. Picture: AFP PHOTO

Many Burmese citizens living along the nation’s lengthy coastline and flood-prone river systems rely heavily on poorly-maintained ferries for transportation and sinkings are not uncommon.

Locals said the area where the “Aung Takon 3” capsized was notorious for its treacherous waters.