It is very terrible work but we will do our best Rescue official

Helicopters and ships are still searching the area where the ferry went down, but the Finnish Coastguard said weather and sea conditions were terrible and the water temperature was only 8C.

Another rescue official said it was likely they would rescue only a fraction of the total number on board.

"It is very terrible work but we will do our best," he told the BBC.

A Swedish Maritime Safety official, Anders Lindstrom, said he had checked watertight seals on the ferry only 24 hours ago and found they were not safe.

"Had they looked at the vessel they would have found out the port at the front was not acceptable - there was some damage to it," he said.

Mr Lindstrom added there had also been complaints about the crew's ability to seal cargo correctly.

But a representative for Estline defended the shipping company's position at a news conference saying no conclusions should be drawn until a full investigation.

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