The death toll from last week's ferry accident in Gabon has risen to 21, after divers recovered more bodies.

The vessel named Esther Miracle was carrying 161 passengers from the capital Libreville to Port-Gentil when it sank close to the coastal village of Nyonie.

According to the lead search officer, 350 soldiers, patrol boats, shuttles, diving robots and radars were deployed for the operation.

But for the families of the missing victims, hope of finding their loved ones alive is fading.