DHAKA -- The death toll in a ferry capsize early Thursday in Bangladesh's Brahmanbaria district, some 109 km northeast of capital Dhaka, has risen to 33 on Friday, an official said.

Abdul Mannan, deputy commissioner of Brahmanbaria district, told Xinhua on phone the sunken ferry capsized with over 50 passengers on board in Meghna river was salvaged Friday afternoon after hours of frantic efforts. The rescue operation is over, he added.

The small ferry hit a sunken cargo and capsized in the river at Rajapur in Brahmanbaria district at about 1 a.m. Thursday. Divers recovered 27 bodies till Thursday night and recovered six bodies Friday.

Salvage ship Rustom reached the spot at 11 p.m. Thursday but could not start salvage operation due to inclement weather. It began operation at 6 a.m. Friday.

Survivors said the launch was carrying about 50 passengers. Most of them were sound asleep. Hit hard by the sunken cargo,a big hole was produced at the bottom of the launch. Gradually it capsized.

Brahmanbaria district administration announced a grant of 2,000 taka ($29) for burial of each unidentified body.

Ferry and boat disasters are common in Bangladesh, which is criss-crossed by about 250 rivers. Ferry is still a key means of transport in the South Asian country. Scores of people are killed each year from ferry disasters in the country.