Death toll climbs to 12 in central China ship collision

Twelve people have been confirmed dead following a collision between two ships that occurred last Friday in the city of Yuanjiang in central China's Hunan province, local authorities said Monday.

Rescuers retrieved one body early Monday morning, bringing the death toll to 12, the city government said.

A steel ship carrying 22 people collided with an unloaded sand carrier around 4 p.m. Friday on a river in Yuanjiang.

All 22 people onboard the steel ship fell into the river.

Search and rescue efforts were concluded on Monday.

A person who is suspected of being responsible for the accident has been taken into police custody.

The cause of the accident is under further investigation.