17 killed after Cambodian ferry capsizes

October 11, 2009 At least seventeen people were killed on Sunday after a river ferry in Cambodia capsized in a tributary of the Mekong river.

The ferry, with 30 people onboard, was travelling to a ceremony at a Buddhist temple. The incident occurred overnight in the Kratie province, about 160 kilometres northeast of Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh.

Reports suggest that the boat capsized due to being overloaded with passengers. "There was no storm or heavy rain when the boat sank. The accident happened because it was overloaded with passengers," said police Major Leng Sarum.

Two boys under the age of five and fourteen women were among the casualties, according to Kratie's governor Kham Phoeun.