Authorities began an investigation Saturday into a ship collision on the Yangtze River that left six person confirmed dead and 47 passengers still unaccounted for.

Rescue workers carry a shipwreck survivor on a stretcher to a hospital in Chongqing, southwest China, Thursday, June 19, 2003. [Xinhua]

An investigation team, headed by Shan Chunchang, deputy director of the State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS), has been tasked with finding the causes of the accident and supervising salvage operations.

A passenger liner capsized on the Yangtze River on June 19 after colliding with a freighter in a section of the river in southwestern Chongqing Municipality.

The Yangtze River Three Gorges Shipping Co. passenger liner was sailing downstream when it collided with a freighter heading upstream near Longqiao town, Fuling district, at 7:55 a.m. on Thursday

Initial reports released on June 19 by local authorities showed 23 dead or missing.

But further investigation showed six person confirmed dead, 47 others still missing, and 12 confirmed survivors.

The passengers reportedly included students and vegetable sellers on their way to market.