Dhaka , Bangladesh ( CNN ) -- Rescuers searched frantically for survivors after a packed ferry carrying at least 250 people capsized in southern Bangladesh , killing at least 32 people , police said Tuesday . The MV Shariatpur-1 sank in the Meghna River after colliding with a cargo ferry early Tuesday while passengers slept , a survivor said . `` We were seven in a cabin in the ferry , and six of my family members are still missing , '' Mohammad Dulal Dewan told CNN . `` Everything happened before I could understand anything . '' The 55-year-old survivor said he `` jumped into the river and was rescued by people in another passing ferry . '' Dewan and his family were traveling to Dhaka , Bangladesh 's capital , to see his brother-in-law off to the United States . Shamim Fakir was scheduled to fly on his U.S. trip early Wednesday , Dewan said . He was still missing Tuesday evening . Mohammad Azizul Alam , the administrative chief of Munshiganj district , said officials had received a list of 61 missing people from families and the death toll might increase . `` We believe many bodies are still trapped inside the sunken ferry , and the rescue operation is still on , '' Shahabuddin Khan , police chief of Munshiganj , told CNN . Khan said divers from the Bangladesh navy and the Fire Service and Civil Defence took part in the operation in addition to police and the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority . The water authority 's chairman , Khandker Shamsuddoha Khandaker , told reporters the ferry had been traced 70 feet ( more than 20 meters ) under water . About 30 people were initially rescued after the ferry collided with the cargo boat on the river in Munshiganj district , about 25 miles ( 40 kilometers ) south of Dhaka . The ferry was traveling to the nation 's capital from Shariatpur district . Ferry accidents are common on Bangladesh 's vast river network . Hundreds of people die in such accidents every year as the operators often ignore rules . Nearly 4,000 people are estimated to have lost their lives in ferry accidents since 1977 .
NEW : Survivor says , `` Six of my family members are still missing '' NEW : At least 250 people were on board when boat collided with another ferry , police say . NEW : The captain and the first mate have been arrested for negligence in their role as crew members. Ferry accidents are common in Bangladesh .