SHANGHAI, Aug 4 -- RESCURERS found another four bodies by noon today from the Qiantang River after a freak wave washed away 33 people on Friday in Zhejiang Province. So far, 12 bodies have been recovered.

But the number of missing victims could not be certain yet, Xinhua news agency said.

All of the four bodies are adults, the report said.

The tide hit a group of tourists and locals about 4pm Friday at a T-shaped levee in the mouth of the Qiantang River. Twenty-two people have been rescued.

Rescue workers said the victims were either swimming or walking on the levee in Qibao, Xiasha District, about 20 kilometers southeast of Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang.

Fifteen police officers in two vessels joined the search about 10pm yesterday. Earlier, the local public security and maritime authorities sent about 50 officers and a coastguard vessel to search. They were joined by five fishing boats.

Scientists say that the trumpet-shaped mouth of the Qiantang River helps form severe tidal changes, which can be as high as 3.5 meters.