Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), July 19 (IANS) Twenty-seven bodies were retrieved from the Indian Ocean off Tanzania after a ferry with over 280 people on board capsized Wednesday.

An official said 142 people have been rescued and divers were battling strong waves to search for more survivors. Over 100 people were missing, Xinhua reported.

The boat capsized due to strong winds and high waves.

The injured were shifted to hospital.

The vessel, owned by Seagull company, was heading to Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam when it sank near Chumbe, a coral park and former army base.

The navy, police and cargo ferries were mobilized for rescue efforts.