Authorities in western Myanmar say a ferry carrying scores of wedding guests capsized in the Ngawun River, killing 20 people.

Emergency workers said the ferry collided with another boat.

At least nine people are missing and 30 people have been rescued, officials said.

Police said at least 70 passengers were believed to be on the boat when it capsized.

The wedding guests were returning from a ceremony in Pathein. “Most of them were relatives from the same village,” a police officer said.

Fatal boat accidents are common in Myanmar, also known as Burma, where many people travel by boat and where government oversight is lax.</s>At least 20 people were killed when a boat carrying scores of wedding guests collided with a river barge at night in western Myanmar, authorities said Saturday, with more feared drowned as rescue workers renewed their search in daylight.

Most of the dead were women, according officials, who said the boat sank Friday evening on a river in Pathein, a port city west of the commercial capital Yangon.

"Altogether 16 women and four men were killed in the boat accident," regional MP Aung Thu Htwe told AFP Saturday morning.

"We estimate nine people are still missing," he said, adding that some 30 people had been rescued alive the night before.

The boat was believed to be carrying between 60 and 80 people when it sank, according to state media and a local police officer.

"They were crossing to the other side of the river after attending a wedding in Pathein. Most of them were relatives from the same village," said the police officer, who requested anonymity.

Both boats were unlit when they collided in the middle of the river, he added.

Photos in local media showed rescuers working in the darkness on Saturday night to lay the bodies of the dead onshore.

Local authorities and red cross workers resumed the search operation this morning, the police officer said.

"We will do search and rescue for the whole day," he told AFP.

Fatal boat accidents are common in Myanmar, where many people living along its flood-prone rivers rely on often overcrowded ferries for transport.

It often takes several days before all of the bodies are retrieved.

Last October 73 people, including many teachers and students, died when their packed vessel capsized in central Myanmar on the Chindwin River.

Earlier that year in April at least 21 people, including nine children, died after their boat sank off the coast of Myanmar's western state of Rakhine.

Around 60 people died the year before, in March 2015, when their ferry went down in the same treacherous waters off of Rakhine.</s>Yangon - At least 20 people were killed when a boat carrying scores of wedding guests collided with a river barge in Western Myanmar, authorities said on Saturday, with more feared drowned as rescuers searched for the missing.

The boat, called "Silver Star" in Burmese, sank in a river near Pathein, a port city west of commercial capital Yangon.

It was believed to be carrying around 60 passengers on their way home from a wedding ceremony, according to a local police officer.

Of the dead, officials said 16 were women and four were men.

Rudimentary transport

"They were crossing to the other side of the river after attending a wedding in Pathein. Most of them were relatives from the same village," said the policeman.

Both ships were unlit when they collided in the middle of the river, he added.

"We estimate nine people are still missing," said regional MP Aung Thu Htwe.

Fatal boat accidents are common in Myanmar, a poor country with rudimentary transport and weakly-enforced safety regulations.

Vessels ferrying people along the country's coastline and rivers are often dangerously overcrowded and accidents can have staggering death tolls. It can also take several days for all bodies to be retrieved.</s>At least 20 people were killed when a boat carrying scores of wedding guests collided with a river barge at night in western Myanmar, authorities said Saturday, with more feared drowned as rescue workers renewed their search in daylight.

Most of the dead were women, according officials, who said the boat sank Friday evening on a river in Pathein, a port city west of the commercial capital Yangon.

"Altogether 16 women and four men were killed in the boat accident," regional MP Aung Thu Htwe told AFP Saturday morning.

"We estimate nine people are still missing," he said, adding that some 30 people had been rescued alive the night before.

The boat was believed to be carrying between 60 and 80 people when it sank, according to state media and a local police officer.

"They were crossing to the other side of the river after attending a wedding in Pathein. Most of them were relatives from the same village," said the police officer, who requested anonymity.

Both boats were unlit when they collided in the middle of the river, he added.

Photos in local media showed rescuers working in the darkness on Saturday night to lay the bodies of the dead onshore.

Local authorities and red cross workers resumed the search operation this morning, the police officer said.

"We will do search and rescue for the whole day," he told AFP.

Fatal boat accidents are common in Myanmar, where many people living along its flood-prone rivers rely on often overcrowded ferries for transport.

It often takes several days before all of the bodies are retrieved.

Last October 73 people, including many teachers and students, died when their packed vessel capsized in central Myanmar on the Chindwin River.

Earlier that year in April at least 21 people, including nine children, died after their boat sank off the coast of Myanmar's western state of Rakhine.

Around 60 people died the year before, in March 2015, when their ferry went down in the same treacherous waters off of Rakhine.</s>At least 20 people were killed when their passenger boat collided with a river barge in western Myanmar, a state-run newspaper reported.

The boat carrying 80 passengers sank shortly after a “head on collision” with the cargo ship yesterday evening in a river near Pathein, a port city west of Yangon, the Global New Light of Myanmar said.

The boat was filled with guests returning from a wedding, according to other local media.

“Eighteen bodies including four men and 14 women were discovered in the wrecked ship so far,” the state mouthpiece said, without elaborating on the other two it confirmed dead.

It added that rescue operations were ongoing.

Fatal boat accidents are common in Myanmar, where many people living along its flood-prone rivers rely on often overcrowded ferries for transport.

Last October 73 people, including many teachers and students, died when their packed vessel capsized in central Myanmar on the Chindwin River.

It took several days to recover all of the bodies.

In March 2015, around 60 people died after their ferry, which was carrying some 200 passengers, sank off the coast of western Rakhine state.

For all the latest World News, download Indian Express App now</s>At least 20 people were killed when a boat carrying scores of wedding guests collided with a river barge at night in western Myanmar, authorities said Saturday, with more feared drowned as rescue workers renewed their search in daylight.

Most of the dead were women, according officials, who said the boat sank Friday evening on a river in Pathein, a port city west of the commercial capital Yangon.

“Altogether 16 women and four men were killed in the boat accident,” regional MP Aung Thu Htwe told AFP Saturday morning.

“We estimate nine people are still missing,” he said, adding that some 30 people had been rescued alive the night before.

The boat was believed to be carrying between 60 and 80 people when it sank, according to state media and a local police officer.

“They were crossing to the other side of the river after attending a wedding in Pathein. Most of them were relatives from the same village,” said the police officer, who requested anonymity.

Both boats were unlit when they collided in the middle of the river, he added.

Photos in local media showed rescuers working in the darkness on Saturday night to lay the bodies of the dead onshore.

Local authorities and red cross workers resumed the search operation this morning, the police officer said.

“We will do search and rescue for the whole day,” he told AFP.

Fatal boat accidents are common in Myanmar, where many people living along its flood-prone rivers rely on often overcrowded ferries for transport.

It often takes several days before all of the bodies are retrieved.

Last October 73 people, including many teachers and students, died when their packed vessel capsized in central Myanmar on the Chindwin River.

Earlier that year in April at least 21 people, including nine children, died after their boat sank off the coast of Myanmar’s western state of Rakhine.

Around 60 people died the year before, in March 2015, when their ferry went down in the same treacherous waters off of Rakhine.</s>At least 20 people were killed when a boat carrying scores of wedding guests collided with a river barge in Western Myanmar, authorities said today, with more feared drowned as rescuers searched for the missing. The boat, called “Silver Star” in Burmese, sank Friday evening in a river near Pathein, a port city west of commercial capital Yangon.

It was believed to be carrying around 60 passengers on their way home from a wedding ceremony, according to a local police officer. Of the dead, officials said 16 were women and four were men.

“They were crossing to the other side of the river after attending a wedding in Pathein. Most of them were relatives from the same village,” said the policeman, who requested anonymity. Both ships were unlit when they collided in the middle of the river, he added.

“We estimate nine people are still missing,” regional MP Aung Thu Htwe told AFP, adding that some 30 people had been rescued alive the night before. Local media photos showed frenzied scenes as rescuers worked in the dark yesterday night to wheel stretchers away from the river and lay bodies onshore.

Authorities resumed the search operation today morning, the police officer said, though no bodies had been found by midday. “We will do search and rescue for the whole day,” he told AFP.

Fatal boat accidents are common in Myanmar, a poor country with rudimentary transport and weakly-enforced safety regulations. Vessels ferrying people along the country’s coastline and rivers are often dangerously overcrowded, and accidents can have staggering death tolls. It can also take several days for all bodies to be retrieved.

Last October 73 people, including many teachers and students, drowned when their overloaded vessel capsized in central Myanmar on the Chindwin River. Around 60 people also died in March 2015 when their ferry sank in rough waters off of Myanmar’s western Rakhine state.

For all the latest World News, download Indian Express App now</s>At least 20 people were killed when a boat carrying scores of wedding guests collided with a river barge at night in western Myanmar, authorities said on Saturday, with more feared drowned as rescue workers renewed their search in daylight. Most of the dead were women, according officials, who said the boat sank on Friday evening on a river in Pathein, a port city west of the commercial capital Yangon.

Start the conversation, or Read more at South China Morning Post.</s>Yangon: At least 20 people were killed when a boat carrying scores of wedding guests collided with a river barge in Western Myanmar, authorities said today, with more feared drowned as rescuers searched for the missing.

The boat, called “Silver Star” in Burmese, sank Friday evening in a river near Pathein, a port city west of commercial capital Yangon.

It was believed to be carrying around 60 passengers on their way home from a wedding ceremony, according to a local police officer. Of the dead, officials said 16 were women and four were men.

“They were crossing to the other side of the river after attending a wedding in Pathein. Most of them were relatives from the same village,” said the policeman, who requested anonymity.

Both ships were unlit when they collided in the middle of the river, he added.

“We estimate nine people are still missing,” regional MP Aung Thu Htwe told AFP, adding that some 30 people had been rescued alive the night before.

Local media photos showed frenzied scenes as rescuers worked in the dark yesterday night to wheel stretchers away from the river and lay bodies onshore. Authorities resumed the search operation today morning, the police officer said, though no bodies had been found by midday.

“We will do search and rescue for the whole day,” he told AFP.

Fatal boat accidents are common in Myanmar, a poor country with rudimentary transport and weakly-enforced safety regulations. Vessels ferrying people along the country’s coastline and rivers are often dangerously overcrowded, and accidents can have staggering death tolls. It can also take several days for all bodies to be retrieved. Last October 73 people, including many teachers and students, drowned when their overloaded vessel capsized in central Myanmar on the Chindwin River.

Around 60 people also died in March 2015 when their ferry sank in rough waters off of Myanmar’s western Rakhine state.</s>YANGON: At least 20 people were killed when a boat carrying scores of wedding guests collided with a river barge in Western Myanmar, authorities said Saturday, with more feared drowned as rescuers searched for the missing.

The boat, called “Silver Star” in Burmese, sank Friday evening in a river near Pathein, a port city west of commercial capital Yangon.

It was believed to be carrying around 60 passengers on their way home from a wedding ceremony, according to a local police officer.

Of the dead, officials said 16 were women and four were men.

“They were crossing to the other side of the river after attending a wedding in Pathein. Most of them were relatives from the same village,” said the policeman, who requested anonymity.

Both ships were unlit when they collided in the middle of the river, he added.

“We estimate nine people are still missing,” regional MP Aung Thu Htwe told Agence France-Presse, adding that some 30 people had been rescued alive the night before.

Local media photos showed frenzied scenes as rescuers worked in the dark Friday night to wheel stretchers away from the river and lay bodies onshore.

Authorities resumed the search operation Saturday morning, the police officer said, though no bodies had been found by midday.

“We will do search and rescue for the whole day,” he told Agence France-Presse.

Fatal boat accidents are common in Myanmar, a poor country with rudimentary transport and weakly enforced safety regulations.

Vessels ferrying people along the country’s coastline and rivers are often dangerously overcrowded, and accidents can have staggering death tolls. It can also take several days for all bodies to be retrieved.

Last October 73 people, including many teachers and students, drowned when their overloaded vessel capsized in central Myanmar on the Chindwin River.

Around 60 people also died in March 2015 when their ferry sank in rough waters off of Myanmar’s western Rakhine state. AFP
At least 20 people are killed when a boat carrying wedding guests collides with a river barge in western Myanmar.