It has been confirmed that three members of the same family were among the victims of the ferry capsize in the lagoon adjacent to the Kurinchankerny Bridge in Kinniya, Trincomalee this morning.
The three were identified as a 30-year-old mother, her six-year-old son and a three-and-a-half-year-old daughter.
Police said two sisters of another family were also among the deceased.
The other victim was identified as a 70-year-old male.
19 individuals, five girls, six boys, four males, and four females, were rescued after the capsize and are currently receiving treatment at the Kinniya Hospital while a 6-year-old girl is being treated at the Intensive Care Unit of the Trincomalee General Hospital.
Meanwhile, Police Media Spokesman SSP Nihal Talduwa said Navy and Police operations to search for missing persons have been completed.
The ferry accident was reported around 7:30 this morning.
SSP Talduwa said the bodies of the victims are placed at the Kinniya Hospital.
He added a group of area residents has gathered outside the Kinniya Divisional Secretariat in protest.
