Sri Lankan navy calls off search for missing people after ferry capsizes, killing at least six
At least six people have died, including four children, and around 10 more are missing after a ferry they were travelling in capsized in eastern Sri Lanka.
Key points:
- Villagers, police and the navy saved 20 people who were rushed to hospital
- Four of the confirmed dead were children
- Some residents blamed officials for the accident, burning tires in protest
Police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa said the ferry was carrying mostly students and teachers to a school across a lagoon from Kurinchakeni, to the town of Kinniya, when it capsized on Tuesday.
Villagers, police and the navy managed to save 20 people, half of them children, and rushed them to the nearby hospital.
Mr Thalduwa confirmed that six people, including four school children, were among the dead. The ferry was carrying as many as 35 people.
"The cause for the capsizing has not been identified yet," he said.
Eight navy teams, including divers, had been looking for the remaining missing people, but the search has now been called off, Mr Thalduwa said.
Ferry accidents are relatively rare in Sri Lanka because many locations are now connected by bridges.
However, the bridge that connects the two towns has been closed for repairs, forcing people to use rudimentary vessels to cross the river, said Naazik Majeed, a social activist in Kinniya.
Angry residents burned tyres and surrounded government offices, blaming officials for the accident.
Reuters/AP