Rescuers have found the bodies of 28 victims after a boat
reportedly carrying about 30 passengers sank in a river that runs
through Youxi Town in Yuechi County, southwest China's Sichuan
Province, on Wednesday.
Only seven passengers survived.
The river is about 20m wide and three meters deep.
Authorities cannot confirm exactly how many people were onboard
at the time of the accident. But they have confirmed that the boat
was owned by local farmer, Yang Yongsheng.
The boat is registered to carry two passengers. However, it was
regularly used as a ferry to carry passengers illegally, according
to investigators.
The passengers were reportedly heading home from a fair. Among
the dead were elderly people and children.
(Xinhua News Agency March 16, 2006)