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

    DHAKA, May 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Death toll in the ferry disaster in southern Patuakhali rose to 63 bodies with more than 40 passengers still missing, after the ferry was lifted Monday night.

    According to unofficial sources, 63 bodies have so far been recovered, and over 40 passengers remain missing.

    The passenger launch ML Prince of Patuakhali started its journey from the Patuakhali terminal and sank in the river Tentulia on Sunday after being caught in the storm. Survivors said many passengers jumped out of the ferry into the river and swam to safety.

    The launch reportedly was carrying over 200 passengers as against the capacity of only 80. But it is very difficult to get the actual number of passengers of ferry service in Bangladesh as the owners never maintain any passenger list.

    Rescue vessel Hamza reached the spot on Monday and started salvage operation in the afternoon.

    The Prince of Patuakhali met with three similar accidents in the past.

    Ferry accidents are common in this delta nation criss-crossed by around 250 rivers. In the last one decade, over 4,000 people died in ferry accidents in this South Asian nation with a population of 140 million.

    The Bangladeshi government last year imposed a strong restriction on overcrowding ferries in a bid to reduce ferry disasters. Enditem