Ferry capsizes in Sri Lanka, resulting in at least six deaths

Twelve people rescued while search continues for missing passengers, navy says

The ferry was travelling from Kurinchakeni to the town of Kinniya along Sri Lanka’s eastern coast. Photograph: iStock
The ferry was travelling from Kurinchakeni to the town of Kinniya along Sri Lanka’s eastern coast. Photograph: iStock

A ferry capsized in eastern Sri Lanka on Tuesday, killing at least six people, the Sri Lankan navy has said.

Twelve people have been rescued and the search for others is continuing, Captain Indika de Silva said.

It was not immediately clear how many people were on board the ferry or what caused it to overturn.

Four children were among the dead, according to a policeman and a hospital worker.

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The ferry was travelling from Kurinchakeni to the town of Kinniya along the country’s eastern coast and about 260km north-east of the capital, Colombo, the navy said.