According to state media reports, five others are still missing following the crash.
The incident unfolded when the larger oil spill cleaning vessel struck the ferry from behind in calm waters, sending 19 people into the river. While three individuals were rescued on the same day, the remaining passengers have yet to be accounted for.
The accident took place in a section of the river that averages 60 meters (about 200 feet) in depth and is approximately 500 meters wide. Rescue teams managed to retrieve the ferry on Friday night and continue their search for the missing people.
One of the survivors managed to escape by breaking a window with his foot, according to a relative who spoke to ThePaper.cn, a Shanghai-based news outlet. The relative also mentioned that the ferry was a vital link for people traveling to and from their village.
Footage obtained by The Paper shows the larger oil spill cleaning vessel colliding with the ferry in calm water. Xinhua reported that three crew members from the larger vessel, who were unharmed, are now under police investigation. The cause of the accident remains unclear, and local authorities have not yet responded to inquiries.