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Death toll from Anhui shipwreck rises to 20

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-09-16 06:44

HEFEI: The death toll from a shipwreck on the Tongling section of the Yangtze River in east China's Anhui Province has risen to 20, local government said Tuesday.

Twenty people from the boat, which had 40 people on board, were rescued after it suddenly capsized last Tuesday and threw all its passengers into the river.

The last remaining body of the victims was recovered Sunday, said a Tongling government official in charge of investigations into the accident.

Related readings:  Victims' bodies retrieved in SW China capsize  One dead, 3 missing in E China's ship capsize  7 dead, one missing in E China's boat capsize  Zhejiang reports fifth boat capsize in a week

Initial government investigation has found the unlicensed boat had been hired by two locals to take 38 farmers to a small island in the Xijiang River, which runs into the Yangtze, to harvest sesame.

The boat capsized as it was about to reach the island and passengers gathered in the front section.

The local civil affairs department has issued 5,000 yuan (US$732) to families of the dead as an emergency allowance. Local charity organizations are also raising money for the families. Each family is expected to receive 100,000 yuan.