Tragedy strikes as a double-decker ferry capsizes in Myanmar killing at least 34 passengers, according to police reports in Saturday.
Officials say the ferry capsized in the Southeastern country Myanmar on Friday night after sailing in poor weather conditions. Its route from Taunggok to Sittwe encountered disaster as they travelled north. After running into rough sea and being slammed by massive waves, the ship went down near the Myaybone and Myaukkyine islands. This is a spot particularly known for its treacherous waters.
According to the Myanmar Red Cross Disaster Management, the government-run ship Aung Tagun 3 contained over 200 people, 167 of which have been rescued and brought to safety. Although the official count of passengers is 214, many fear the number may be higher due to unregistered ticket-holders when the ferry capsized in western Myanmar, also known as Burma.
Many of the survivors who have been pulled to safety have been sent home hours after the ferry capsized in Myanmar, while over a dozen is still left missing. State television reports that search and rescue teams are still scanning the area for those who are unaccounted for, although after two days the fear is rampant that there is little hope that those missing have survived. Of the 34 people who were proclaimed dead, reports say almost all were women. It is believed that there were no foreigners present on the boat.
This is not an isolated case of a ferry capsizing in Myanmar. The tragedy is quite common due to overcrowding; citizens tend to rely on boat transport in the coastal regions because of its affordability and inaccessibility of some towns by land or air. Unfortunately, poor maintenance of the boats and the number of people that's being crammed onboard have rendered this mode of transportation unsafe, especially in rough weather.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
