According to officials, a fire ripped through a passenger boat in Bangladesh on Friday, killing at least 16 people and injuring 200 more.

The disaster occurred onboard the Barguna-bound MV Abhijan-10 on the Sugandha River near Jhalakathi. The fire started at 3 a.m., when the ferry arrived in the Dapdapia region, according to police and fire officials. The death toll is certain to rise, according to health experts, because several of the injured had suffered critical burn injuries.

According to media reports, 70 patients have been admitted to the Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal by Jhalakathi Deputy Commissioner Md Zohor Ali.  Several people leapt into the river in a desperate attempt to save their lives as the fire burned for approximately three hours. The boat was filled with passengers when the disaster happened. Authorities believe the fire started in the ferry's engine room, according to Kamal Hossain Bhuiyan, deputy director of the Barishal Fire Service.

A rescue operation is being carried out by five units of firemen, but the attempts have been hampered by dense fog over the river.

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