Divers on Sunday pulled the bodies of three more women from a tourist boat that sank in the Volga River two weeks ago, bringing the confirmed toll from Russia’s worst shipping disaster to 117.
Russia’s emergencies ministry said five more people whose names appear on the Bulgaria boat’s crew and passenger list are still unaccounted for and presumed dead.
The 56-year-old vessel sank in a wide bend of Europe’s longest river on July 10. Survivors said the boat was experiencing problems with one of its engines before sailing and was listing heavily to the right.
The craft was also overcrowded and operating without a proper license, officials said. Investigators have arrested the tour operator and a local licensing official and have promised to expand their criminal probe.
The boat was partially raised on Friday and moved Saturday evening to shallower waters where it will be slowly drained of water and inspected.
Officials requested the expensive boat recovery operation to confirm what caused the accident.
