DHAKA (Reuters) - At least 16 people have died in Bangladesh after a deadly fire swept through a launch on the Sugandha River in Bangladesh, an official said on Friday.

       Sixteen bodies had been recovered from the launch, said Zohor Ali, district administrator of Jhalakathi, where the accident happened after midnight.

       The death toll could climb further as more than 50 people have been admitted to hospital, with many in critical condition, he said.

       The launch was heading to the southern district of Barguna from the capital Dhaka via Jhalakathi district.

       (Reporting by Ruma Paul; Editing by Michael Perry)