Death toll hits 73 in ferry disaster

The death toll in a Myanmar ferry sinking has reached 73, authorities said on Friday, as they wrapped up a weeklong search and rescue operation for survivors and prepared to launch an inquiry into the cause of the disaster. Marine accidents are common in Myanmar, where many people rely for transport on crowded boats that are often in a state of disrepair. The ferry sank early on Saturday, about 140 kilometers northwest of Mandalay, Myanmar’s second biggest city, as it traveled between the towns of Homalin and Monywa.