Efforts have been intensified in the search for the 36 people still missing following a Yellow River boating accident on Thursday morning in Linyi County of north China's Shanxi Province, according to local government officials.

Twelve bodies have been found after a boat capsized at 7:30 am.in the Zhangguo section of the Yellow River, China's second longest. Twenty-one people have been rescued.

Though the water at the accident spot was only 3-4 meters deep,the boat was in the middle of the river, making it difficult for the rescue work to proceed.

More official motor boats and civilianships have been dispatched and helicopters will be arranged to join the search efforts, the officials added.

The accident has aroused attention among state leaders. Vice Premier Huang Ju and Secretary-general of the State Council Hua Jianmin, have given instructions on the rescue work.

Local officials said the boat may have capsized from being overloaded with the 69 farmers it was transporting for cotton picking.

The cause of the accident is under further investigation.

Source: Xinhu