An official says a search continues after a boat carrying 128 people capsized off Nigeria six days ago.

The head of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency Vincent Acquah said Thursday that rescuers have found nine female bodies off the coast of the city of Calabar, with 90 passengers still missing. He said there were also men and children aboard.

Acquah said the number of survivors rose to 29 Wednesday after 27 people were found further south, around the port of Oron.

He said the wooden boat was going from Benin to Gabon, stopping on various ports along the way.

Survivors said the captain informed passengers of a leak. He said "only God could save (them)" an hour before the mishap, which occurred Friday at 9 p.m.