6 die, 14 rescued as ferry capsizes in eastern Sri Lanka
Nov 23, 2021
Colombo [Sri Lanka], November 23 (ANI/Xinhua): The Sri Lanka Navy on Tuesday afternoon said six people died and 14 people including children were rescued after a ferry capsized in Kinniya in Sri Lanka's Eastern Province earlier in the day.
Navy Spokesperson Captain Indika De Silva told Xinhua that the ferry capsized early Tuesday while it was crossing a waterway as the bridge above has been damaged.
Police said the ferry capsized due to overcrowding.
Initial reports showed that 22 people including students were on board the ferry. Navy divers recovered six bodies, including four children, while 14 people were rescued and admitted to nearby state hospitals.
Search and rescue operations are still underway. Captain Indika said it was unknown why students were on board the ferry, and eyewitnesses said they were crossing it to travel to school. (ANI/Xinhua)
