At least 31 people died after a ferry capsized in a river near the Bangladesh capital, Dhaka, today.
The boat, carrying around 100 people, was hit by another ferry on the River Buriganga.
A salvage vessel is due to arrive soon, an official of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) said. Rescuers said the sunken ferry the MV Shourav, was lying about 15 feet (five metres) underwater.
Most of the victims were women and while many were rescued or swam to safety, one survivor said more bodies may be stuck inside. Another said many aboard could not escape as the ferry sank immediately after it was struck.
Because BIWTA still uses decades-old equipment trapped bodies may decompose in the time it takes to salvage sunken vessels.
"It is very difficult to work in water with such a bad stench," a diver said.
The Buriganga carries all the human refuse and garbage of the capital of nearly 11 million people. But he said on the plus side the river is not very deep and does not have a very strong current at this time of year.
Hundreds of Bangladeshis die in ferry accidents every year, and these are mostly blamed on loading beyond boats' listed capacity.