40 people perish in ferry accident in Tigris

IRBIL, Iraq, March 21 (KUNA) -- At least 40 people perished when a ferry capsized in the Tigris river in Mosul on Thursday, the city civil defense said.
The civil defense chief, Hussam Khalil, said in a statement that rescuers have retrieved dead bodies of 40 people, including women and children. Twelve were rescued alive.
The accident happened when the ferry was transporting people to resort island of Umm Al-Rubaieen.
The river rushing water has hampered the rescue operation, he added. (end) sbr.rk