Scores of people are still missing

The ferry capsized in heavy storms on the River Meghna, in the northern Kishoreganj district, while carrying a bridal party on Monday evening.

Earlier a similar ship, with an estimated 300 passengers, sank near the capital, Dhaka, killing at least 140 of them.

The government has since banned ferry operations for five hours each day and declared at least 50 such vessels unfit for use.

Ferry owners have begun an indefinite strike in protest at the ban.

Government survey

Rescuers have successfully managed to salvage the first ferry from the River Buriganga, near the capital - many people are still thought to be missing.

A government survey commissioned six months ago found that many of the ferries were unfit to sail and Shipping Minister Akbar Hossain said they would take tough action to force such vessels out of the water.

"I know we will be under pressure from some quarters, including owners, but we will go ahead as we cannot allow such tragedies," Mr Hossain said.

Ferry owners have begun strike action against government ban on working in the afternoon and evening.

President of the Bangladesh Launch Owners Association, Mohammad Kalimullah told the BBC that the government restrictions were illogical.

Carefully chosen times

He said the ban - which operates between 1500 and 2000 local time - is a peak time for their business.

I could not save my daughter - I've no right to live Hasina Begum survivor Tales of survival

Mr Hossain said the five-hour period was chosen because most storms in Bangladesh occur within that time.

Our correspondent in Dhaka says many critics will feel the move is a knee-jerk reaction which has come too late.

Hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshis who rely on ferries as their only means of transport will have their movements curtailed.

But government ministers say it is the only move possible since they lack the money and resources to deploy officials across the country to assess the safety of each and every vessel.

Twin tragedy

Ferry accidents are common in Bangladesh, where boats are often overcrowded and lack safety equipment.

A woman mourns the loss of her daughter in the ferry disaster

After the accidents distraught relatives gathered by the riverside to identify the bodies of their loved ones.

Newspapers have shown photographs of piles of shoes belonging to those who died.

The BBC's Alastair Lawson in Dhaka says for many relatives they are the only way of identifying their loved ones.

School teacher Hasina Begum wept as she told reporters how her two-year-old daughter Mithila had died on the ferry from Dhaka.

"I could not save my daughter. I've no right to live. My little daughter wanted to see Dhaka City," she told the Associated Press.