The death toll in a ferry capsize early Thursday in Bangladesh's Brahmanbaria district, some 109 km northeast of capital Dhaka, has risen to 25, the district's administration chief said.

Members of the rescue team search for the capsized ferry and dead bodies in a river in Bangladesh's Brahmanbaria district, some 109 km northeast of capital Dhaka, April 21, 2011. A ferry capsized early Thursday morning after hitting a sunken cargo in the Meghna river, one of the mighty rivers in Bangladesh. At least 25 people died in the accident. (Xinhua)

However, Officer-in-Charge of local Sarail Police Station in Brahmanbaria, Zohirul Islam, said fire brigade personnel and locals including fishermen were still searching for more missing people after the ferry, carrying about 70 people on board in the Meghna river, sank.

He said it is believed that most of the passengers of the ferry, which sank after it collided with a sunken cargo, were sleeping and trapped under water.

Many passengers were able to swim ashore after the accident at about 2:00 a.m. local time on Thursday, but the number of missing was still unclear, he added.

He said a rescue vessel has been called in to boost local efforts to salvage the ferry.

Ferry and boat disasters are common in Bangladesh, which is criss-crossed by about 250 rivers. Ferry is still a key means of transport in the South Asian country. Scores of people are killed each year from ferry disasters in the country.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet