Many missing as Russian boat Bulgaria sinks on Volga

More than 100 people, including many children, are feared dead after a tourist boat sank in central Russia.

Dozens were rescued after the accident on the Volga, in Tatarstan, about 750 kilometers (450 miles) east of Moscow.

At least six deaths were confirmed, but reports say the divers saw many bodies inside the sunken ship.

At least 199 passengers and crew were supposed to be in Bulgaria, which was originally the city of Bulgar to the regional capital, Kazan.

Hopes of finding survivors faded as rescuers worked all night.

Bad weather, mechanical failure in the older business and overpopulation have all been cited as possible reasons why the boat sank.

About 50 Russian divers were scouring the river condition Monday morning and Russian media reports suggested they had seen many bodies inside the sunken ship.

Igor Panshin, head of the Emergency Centre of the Ministry of the Volga area, was shown commenting on NTV. "[Divers] have been tapping on the hull in the hope of getting answers possible Unfortunately, none came.

"Now they have shone the light in the holds and restaurants, and they see that there is [dead] people inside."

There was little hope of finding other survivors.

Bulgaria - a vessel 55, which is supposed to be owned by a local tourism business - was a two-day cruise where he got in trouble at about 1400 on Sunday (1000 GMT), the sinking in minutes , says our correspondent.