Senegal says over 1,000 aboard sunken ferry

Senegal has raised to over 1,000 the total of people estimated aboard a ferry that capsized off the Gambian coast.

Senegal has raised to over 1,000 the total of people estimated aboard a ferry that capsized off the Gambian coast.

The prime minister's office in Dakar increased the total of those aboard the vessel by 238 to 1,034. It said only 64 people had been rescued so far from last Thursday's tragedy and just under 400 bodies recovered by French, Gambian and Senegalese divers.

Rescue workers said there was little chance of finding more survivors from the ferry, which was designed to carry 500 people.

The state-owned ferry was on its way from Senegal's southern city of Ziguinchor to Dakar when it was caught by fierce gusts of wind and rain and capsized.

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A survivor said the boat overturned in less than five minutes.