People wait for the news of the drowned launch.  (Xinhua/AFP photo)

    DHAKA, May 16 (Xinhuanet) -- A total of 30 bodies of passengers have been recovered while over 76 are still missing as a launch with nearly 200 people capsized Sunday in the southern river Tentulia in Patuakhali during a storm, officials said Monday.

    The official news agency BSS quoted the officials and witnesses as saying that the rescue vessel MV Hamza Which was conducting the salvage operation, locating the drowned launch about 80 feet below the water level of the river.

    Some 80 passengers were rescued or swam to shore but the rest were missing after the capsize of the launch, carrying passengers double of its capacity. Enditem