The wreckage of the passenger boat is tugged on shore. Seven passengers were dead and three missing after the boat collided with a cargo boat on Saturday, June 7, 2008.

A diver steps down a ladder to search the bodies of the dead passenger on Saturday, June 7, 2008.

(CRIENGLISH 2008-06-09 08:11:47) Seven people are dead and three missing after a passenger ferry collided with a cargo boat Saturday afternoon at a section of Hanjiang River in Ziyang County, northwestern Shaanxi province.

The province's Xi'an Evening News reported today that the passenger boat capsized soon after the accident took place at 1:10pm. All 14 on board, including the boat's driver Che Zhiping, fell into water.

Local authorities mobilized 16 boats and more than 100 rescuers for the salvage operation, saving four and recovering the bodies of the dead.

The accident caused havoc on the waterway, leading transportation to be suspended.

Preliminary investigations show the collision was caused by the improper conduct of the drivers who have been held in police custody.

A search operation for the missing is still under way.