Dhaka, Nov 28 (bdnews24.com) – Prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is now in Port of Spain attending the Commonwealth summit, expressed her grief at Friday's launch disaster and ordered speedy rescue operation and investigation into the accident.

The president also expressed his sorrow at the tragedy and condolences for the grieving families.

The overloaded launch, ferrying homebound passengers on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, sank on Friday night near Bhola, leaving at least 35 people dead. Some 30 others were still reported to be missing.

Hasina has sent condolences to the families of the victims, her deputy press secretary Mahbubul Huq Shakil said in Dhaka.

Shakil told bdnews24.com: "The prime minister has given directives to speed up rescue operations and asked the authorities concerned to take all possible measures for the treatment of the injured."

Eleven children were among the dead, who were retrieved from MV Coco-4, partially capsized late on Friday at Nazirpur, some 40 kilometres from the district town.

Principal secretary of the prime minister MA Karim is supervising the rescue operations from the spot, the deputy press secretary added.

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