INTERNATIONAL: At least 38 people have died in Bangladesh after a deadly fire swept through a three-storey ferry, called the MV Abhijan-10, in the southern district of Jhalakathi, a fire service official said on Friday.

The fire started from the engine room of the ferry at around 3 a.m, the official added. The boat caught fire on the Sugandha river near Jhakakathi, a rural town around 250km south of national capital Dhaka.

The death toll could climb further as more than 200 people have been admitted to hospital who suffered burn injuries, some people died after they jumped off the boat and drowned. While some passengers still missing and some others in critical condition, said Zohor Ali, Jhalakathi district administrator.

One of the survivors, Saidur Rahman, has narrated that the fire had spread rapidly when the vessel was near a bridge. He has said there were 500 people on board, including children and the elderly.

“The engine room of the launch suddenly caught fire around 3am and spread rapidly when the vessel was near the Gabkhan Bridge,” he said.

The cause of the fire was not immediately clear and investigations were ongoing.