By Alastair Lawson BBC correspondent in Dhaka

Don't board a crowded ferry, advises the minister

It is still not known how many people died, but rescuers estimate that it could be as many as 800.

In an interview with the BBC, Mr Hossain also defended the decision taken by him and the prime minister not to visit the survivors or the bereaved.

He said that other government ministers had already done that.

'Not my fault'

Mr Hossain is under intense pressure to step down from his post.

The River Meghna is a major transport route

Newspapers have accused him of having blood on his hands.

On Monday he was reported to have been given a stern telling-off by the prime minister for his failure to improve ferry safety.

Last week's disaster in the south-east of the country was the fourth accident involving large loss of life this year.

But the shipping minister has come out fighting, arguing that these disasters aren't his fault and that he is determined to stay in office.

"If I have created the problem, then I would have resigned," he said, "but I have not created the problem.

"I have come here to solve the problem, so I shall solve the problem and after solving the problem, then I'll say I have done my job.

"Before I finish my job I am not going to run away."

Wreck found

On Tuesday, the sunken ferry was found by the navy 40 metres (120 ft) under the surface on the river Meghna, one of the country's fastest flowing rivers.

A salvage operation in such currents is deemed to be to risky.

Mr Hossain said that he couldn't guarantee that such tragedies won't happen again.

Ultimately, he said, it was up to passengers to decide not to board ferries that are too crowded.