ANKARA

The death toll from this week's sinking of a passenger ship in Indonesia's Bali Strait climbed to 17, as rescuers recovered two more bodies on Friday, an official said.

Ribut Eko Suyanto, deputy for search and rescue operations at the National Search and Rescue Agency, told reporters that the bodies were transported to a hospital for identification.

Some 18 passengers are still missing.

He said the ongoing search operation is now focusing on the southern part of the strait, following reports from local fishermen who found several objects believed to be parts of the wrecked ship.

Soerjanto Tjahjono, head of the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT), said that strong underwater currents in the strait are posing significant challenges.

He said the authority is working to deploy a remotely operated vehicle to investigate the condition of the wreck.

The wooden vessel, carrying 53 passengers and 12 crew members, capsized last Wednesday while en route to Bali Island from eastern Java Island.

The ferry sank just before midnight, with around 30 people rescued so far.