27 bodies found, 2 still missing from central Thailand's boat crash

Marine police officers dive to search for survivors near a capsized boat on the Chao Phraya river, in the ancient tourist city of Ayutthaya, Thailand September 19, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

BANGKOK - Thai authorities Tuesday put the death toll from Sunday's boat sinking accident to 27, with two people still missing, local media reported.

According to Thairath, six more bodies including a eight-year-old boy were found on Tuesday morning from the Chao Phraya River in central Thailand's Ayutthaya province about 5 kilometers away from where the accident occurred at Sanamchai Temple. A female and a male are still missing.

Of the 27 victims who died from drowning at the scene and at Ayutthaya hospital, 20 were female, and 7 were male. More than 50 passengers were injured, one seriously.

The boat on Sunday was reportedly carrying about 150 Thai Muslims heading to a mosque in Ayutthaya for an annual religious rite in the northern province Nonthaburi while it's licensed to carry only 50.

A video clip of the accident shows the two-level ferry foundered after crashing into a concrete berm.

The searching operation is still under way in strong wind and rushing currents.

Officials said the boat operator arrested on Monday is charged with recklessness resulting in death and injury as well as overloading the vessel with too many passengers.

Police said the boat operator admitted that most of the passengers were not wearing life vests on the boat.