Bangladesh Lorry Crash Kills 44 Schoolboys

At least 44 schoolboys have died in Bangladesh when the truck carrying them back from a football match crashed and flipped over into a water-filled ditch.

The driver lost control of the vehicle, which was overladen with about 50 boys aged between 10 and 15, at Mirershorai, 125 miles from the south-eastern port city of Chittagong.

"We have held funeral for 44 children including 38 Muslims and six Hindus," the district police chief said.

He added 10 children were taken to hospital at a government clinic in a critical condition.

District official Sayeed Kutub said that many victims - mostly from local Abu Torab Primary School - had drowned after being stuck under the truck when it turned over into the ditch by the side of the road.

"They were trapped under the sunken truck. It took us some time to turn it over.

"As a result, most died because of drowning in water. Six children seriously injured have been admitted in clinics."

The boys were returning from a trip to support a team playing in a local football tournament in Mirershorai.

"They hired the truck to travel home quickly. They were enjoying the ride and were celebrating because their team has won the tournament," Chittagong district administrator Foyez Ahmed said.

Local police initially put the death toll at about 40 - but that is expected to rise.

"It was a tragic scene. As we are pulling one body after another, parents and relatives could not control their emotions," local police officer Rezaul Karim said.

"Some intervened, making the rescue operation difficult."