At least 21 people died and 47 others missing including 30 women as a double-decker vessel sank off Kyaukphyu, a major town in Myanmar's western Rakhine State, on Friday night, official sources confirmed Saturday.

Of all on board, 167 passengers have been rescued so far, the sources said.

The vessel Aung Dakun-3 with about 214 passengers on board capsized after the wave strike in Myay Pone Township when heading from Kyaukphyu harbor to Sittway of Rakhine State at 8 p.m. local time on Friday.

Sources said the mishap near Kyuntharyar island in Myaypone township happened as the ship hit the rock.

Search operation has been underway for the missing.