The death toll in last week’s ferry accident off western Myanmar has increased to 59, as the rescuers recovered 23 more bodies from the inside of the ship, which is lying some 30 meters under water, the local media reported.
The number of survivors also increased, from the initially reported 167 to 169.
The Aung Takon 3 ferry was en route from Kyaukphyu to Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine state, when it sank in bad weather near Myebon last Friday.
Officials said the ship was carrying 214 passengers and crew, although local residents were reported as saying that the number could be higher on the account of possible unregistered passengers, a common practice in Myanmar.
The efforts to locate the missing have so far been hampered by strong winds and currents.
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